4-phenylpiperidines, their preparation and use

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a compound having the structure: (structurally represented) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are each independently H, halogen, CF3 or C1-C4 alkyl; R6 is H, OH, or halogen; B is a substituted or unsubstituted heterobicycle, pyridazine, pyrazole, pyrazine, thiadiazole, or triazole, wherein the heterobicycle is other than chloro substituted indole; and the pyrazole, when substituted, is substituted with other than trifluoromethyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

This application is a § 371 national stage of PCT International Application No. PCT/US2014/026813, filed Mar. 13, 2014, claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/785,187, filed Mar. 14, 2013, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The invention was made with government support under Grant numbers NS067594 and NS074476 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.

Throughout this application, certain publications are referenced in parentheses. Full citations for these publications may be found immediately preceding the claims. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to describe more fully the state of the art to which this invention relates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Age-related macular degeneration (AND) is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries. It is estimated that 62.9 million individuals worldwide have the most prevalent atrophic (dry) form of AMD; 8 million of them are Americans. Due to increasing life expectancy and current demographics this number is expected to triple by 2020. There is currently no FDA-approved treatment for dry AMD. Given the lack of treatment and high prevalence, development of drugs for dry AMD is of upmost importance. Clinically, atrophic AMD represents a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder in which specialized neurons (rod and cone photoreceptors) die in the central part of the retina called macula (1). Histopathological and clinical imaging studies indicate that photoreceptor degeneration in dry AMD is triggered by abnormalities in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) that lies beneath photoreceptors and provides critical metabolic support to these light-sensing neuronal cells. Experimental and clinical data indicate that excessive accumulation of cytotoxic autofluorescent lipid-protein-retinoid aggregates (lipofuscin) in the RPE is a major trigger of dry AMD (2-9). In addition to AMD, dramatic accumulation of lipofuscin is the hallmark of Stargardt Disease (STGD), an inherited form of juvenile-onset macular degeneration. The major cytotoxic component of RPE lipofuscin is pyridinium bisretinoid A2E (FIG. 1). Additional cytotoxic bisretinoids are isoA2E, atRAL di-PE, and A2-DRP-PE (40, 41). Formation of A2E and other lipofuscin bisretinoids, such as A2-DHP-PE (A2-dihydropyridine-phosphatidylethanolamine) and atRALdi-PE (all-trans-retinal dimer-phosphatidylethanolamine), begins in photoreceptor cells in a non-enzymatic manner and can be considered as a by-product of the properly functioning visual cycle.

A2E is a product of condensation of all-trans retinaldehyde with phosphatidyl-ethanolamine which occurs in the retina in a non-enzymatic manner and, as illustrated in FIG. 4, can be considered a by-product of a properly functioning visual cycle (10). Light-induced isomerization of 11-cis retinaldehyde to its all-trans form is the first step in a signaling cascade that mediates light perception. The visual cycle is a chain of biochemical reactions that regenerate visual pigment (11-cis retinaldehyde conjugated to opsin) following exposure to light.

As cytotoxic bisretinoids are formed during the course of a normally functioning visual cycle, partial pharmacological inhibition of the visual cycle may represent a treatment strategy for dry AMD and other disorders characterized by excessive accumulation of lipofuscin (25-27, 40, 41).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a compound having the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ are each independently H, halogen, CF₃ or         C₁-C₄ alkyl;     -   R₆ is H, OH, or halogen;     -   B is a substituted or unsubstituted heterobicycle, pyridazine,         pyrazole, pyrazine, thiadiazole, or triazole,         -   wherein the heterobicycle is other than chloro         -   substituted indole; and         -   the pyrazole, when substituted, is substituted with other             than trifluoromethyl.             or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The present invention provides compound having the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   R₁, R₂, R₂, R₃, R₄, and R₅ are each independently H, halogen,         CF₃ or C₁-C₄ alkyl;     -   R₆ is H, OH, or halogen;     -   B′ is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, pyridine,         pyrimidine, benzyl, pyrrolidine, sulfolane, oxetane, CO₂H or         (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CO₂H,         -   wherein the substituted phenyl is substituted with other             than trifluoromethyl or 3-(methyl carboxylate), the             substituted pyridine is substituted with other than             trifluoromethyl and the substituted pyrrolidine is             substituted with other than hydroxamic acid, and the             substituted or unsubstituted pyrrolidine is bound to the             carbonyl through a carbon-carbon bond,             or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1. Structure of bisretinoid A2E, a cytotoxic component of retinal lipofuscin.

FIG. 2. Structure of bisretinoid atRAL di-PE (all-transretinal dimer-phosphatidyl ethanolamine), a cytotoxic component of retinal lipofuscin. R1 and R2 refer to various fatty acid constituents.

FIG. 3. Structure of bisretinoid A2-DHP-PE, a cytotoxic component of retinal lipofuscin.

FIG. 4. Visual cycle and biosynthesis of A2E. A2E biosynthesis begins when a portion of all-trans-retinal escapes the visual cycle (yellow box) and non-enzymatically reacts with phosphatidyl-ethanolamine forming the A2E precursor, A2-PE. Uptake of serum retinol to the RPE (gray box) fuels the cycle.

FIG. 5. Three-dimensional structure of the RBP4-TTR-retinol complex. Tetrameic TTR is shown in blue, light blue, green and yellow (large boxed region). RBP is shown in red (unboxed region) and retinol is shown in gray (small boxed region) (28).

FIG. 6. Structure of fenretinide, [N-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)retinamide, 4HRP], a retinoid RBP4 antagonist.

FIG. 7. Schematic depiction of the HTRF-based assay format for characterization of RBP4 antagonists disrupting retinol-induced RBP4-TTR interaction.

FIG. 8. RBP4 Binding, RBP4-TTR Interaction and/or Pharmacokinetic Data of Compounds 15-26. PPB: Plasma protein binding, H: Human, M: Mouse, R: Rat, D: Dog.

FIG. 9. RBP4 Binding, RBP4-TTR Interaction and/or Pharmacokinetic Data of Compounds 27-38.

FIG. 10. RBP4 Binding, RBP4-TTR Interaction and/or Pharmacokinetic Data of Compounds 39-54.

FIG. 11. RBP4 Binding, RBP4-TTR Interaction and/or Pharmacokinetic Data of Compounds 55-67.

FIG. 12, RBP4 Binding, RBP4-TTR Interaction and/or Pharmacokinetic Data of Compounds 68-89.

FIG. 13. RBP4 Binding, RBP4-TTR Interaction and/or Pharmacokinetic Data of Compounds 90-109.

FIG. 14. RBP4 Binding, RBP4-TTR Interaction and/or Pharmacokinetic Data of Compounds 110-129.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a compound having the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   R₃, R₂, R₃, R₄, and R₅ are each independently H, halogen, CF₃ or         C₁-C₄ alkyl;     -   R₆ is H, OH, or halogen;     -   B is a substituted or unsubstituted heterobicycle, pyridazine,         pyrazole, pyrazine, thiadiazole, or triazole,         -   wherein the heterobicycle is other than chloro substituted             indole; and         -   the pyrazole, when substituted, is substituted with other             than trifluoromethyl,             or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B is a substituted or unsubstituted heterobicycle.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

wherein

-   α, β, χ, and δ are each independently absent or present, and when     present each is a bond; -   X is C or N; -   Z₁ is S, O, or N; -   Z₂ is S, O, N or NR₇,     -   wherein R₇ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, or oxetane; -   Q is a substituted or unsubstituted 5, 6, or 7 membered ring     structure.

In some embodiments of the above compound, the compound wherein B has the structure:

wherein

-   when α is present, then Z₁ and Z₂ are N, X is N, β is present, and χ     and δ are absent, or when α is present, then Z₁ is O or S, Z₂ is N,     X is C, χ is present, and β and δ are absent; -   when α is absent, then Z₁ is N, Z₂ is N—R₇, X is C, β and δ are     present, and χ is absent, or when α is absent, then Z₁ is N, Z₂ is O     or S, X is C, β and δ are present, and χ is absent.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

wherein

-   n is an integer from 0-2; -   α, β, χ, δ, ε, and ϕ are each independently absent or present, and     when present each is a bond; -   Z₁ is S, O or N; -   Z₂ is S, O, N or N—R₇,     -   wherein R₇ is H, C₁-C₁ alkyl, or oxetane; -   X is C or N; -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃, and each occurrence of Y₄ are each independently CR₉,     C(R₉)₂, N—R₁₀, O, N, SO₂, or C═O,     -   wherein     -   R₈ is H, halogen, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, O—(C₁-C₁₀         alkyl), C(O)OH, C(O)O(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), C(O)—NH₂, C(O)—NH(C₁-C₄         alkyl), C(O)—NH(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, NHC(O)—NH(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl),         NHC(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, SO₂—NH(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), SO₂—N(C₁-C₁₀         alkyl)₂, CN, or CF₃;     -   R₉ is H or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl;     -   R₁₀ is H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-CF₃,         (C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-OCH₃, (C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-halogen, SO₂—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl),         SO₂—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-CF₃, SO₂—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-OCH₃, SO₂—(C₁-C₁₀         alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-CF₃,         C(O)—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-OCH₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-halogen,         C(O)—NH—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), C(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, (C₁-C₁₀         alkyl)-C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂ or oxetane.

In some embodiments of the above compound the compound wherein B has the structure:

wherein

-   when α is present, then Z₁ and Z₂ are N, X is N, β is present, and     χand δ are absent, or when α is present, then Z₁ is O or S, Z₂ is N,     X is C, χ is present, and β and δ are absent; -   when α is absent, then Z₁ is N, Z₂ is N—R₇, X is C, β and δ are     present, and χ is absent, or when α is absent, then Z₇ is N, Z₂ is O     or S, X is C, β and δ are present, and χ is absent. -   when ε and ϕ are each present, then n=1, and each of Y₁, Y₂, Y₃, and     Y₄ are independently C—R₈ or N; -   when ε and ϕ are each absent, then n=0, 1 or 2, each of Y₁, Y₂, Y₃,     and each occurrence of Y₄ are independently C(R₉)₂, N—R₁₀, O, or     SO₂.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   β and δ are present;     -   α, χ, ε, and ϕ are absent;     -   Z₁ is N;     -   Z₂ is O, S, or N—R₇,         -   wherein R₇ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, or oxetane; and     -   X is C,

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   n is 0;     -   R₇ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, or oxetane;     -   Y₁ and Y₃ are each CH₂ or C(CH₃)₂; and     -   Y₂ is O, SO₂, or N—R₁₀,         -   wherein         -   R₁₀ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃,             (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, SO₂—(C₁-C₄             alkyl), SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₂, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃,             SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—(C₁-C₄             alkyl)-CF₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄             alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—NH—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂,             (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂ or oxetane.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   n is 1;     -   R₇ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, or oxetane;     -   Y₁, Y₂ and Y₄ are each CH₂ or C(CH₃)₂; and     -   Y₃ is O, SO₂, or N—R₁₀,         -   wherein         -   R₁₀ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃,             (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, SO₂—(C₁-C₄             alkyl), SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃,             SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—(C₁-C₄             alkyl)-CF₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄             alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—NH—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂,             (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂ or oxetane.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   n is 1;     -   R₇ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, or oxetane;     -   Y₁, Y₃ and Y₄ are each CH₂ or C(CH₃)₂; and     -   Y₂ is O, SO₂, or N—R₁₀,         -   wherein         -   R₁₀ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃,             (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, SO₂—(C₁-C₄             alkyl), SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃,             SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—(C₁-C₄             alkyl)-CF₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄             alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—NH—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂,             (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂ or oxetane.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   n is 2;     -   R₇ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, or oxetane;     -   Y₁, Y₃ and each occurrence of Y₄ are each CH₂ or C(CH₃)₂; and     -   Y₂ is O, SO₂, or N—R₁₀,         -   wherein         -   R₁₀ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃,             (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, SO₂—(C₁-C₄             alkyl), SO₂—(C₁-C₄ SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, SO₂—(C₁-C₄             alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃,             C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen,             C(O)—NH—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, (C₁-C₄             alkyl)-C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂ or oxetane.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₁₀ is H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH₃, CH(CH₃)₂, CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, t-Bu, CH₂OCH₃, CH₂CF₃, CH₂Cl, CH₂F, CH₂CH₂OCH₃, CH₂CH₂CF₃, CH₂CH₂Cl, CH₂CH₂F, or

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₁₀ is SO₂—CH₃, SO₂—CH₂CH₃, SO₂—CH₂CH₂CH₃, SO₂—CH(CH₃)₂, SO₂—CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, SO₂-t-Bu, SO₂—CH₂OCH₃, SO₂—CH₂CF₃, SO₂—CH₂Cl, SO₂—CH₃F, SO₂—CH₂CH₂OCH₃, SO₂—CH₂CH₂CF₃, SO₂—CH₂CH₂Cl, SO₂—CH₂CH₂F, or

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₁₀ is C(O)—CH₃, C(O)—CH₂CH₃, C(O)—CH₂CH₂CH₃, C(O)—CH(CH₃)₂, C(O)—CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, C(O)-t-Bu, C(O)—CH₂OCH₃, C(O)—CH₂CF₃, C(O)—CH₂Cl, C(O)—CH₂F, C(O)—CH₂CH₂OCH₃, C(O)—CH₂CH₂CF₃, C(O)—CH₂CH₂Cl, C(O)—CH₂CH₂F,

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₇ is H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH(CH₃)₂, or

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   n is 1;     -   R₇ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, or oxetane;     -   Y₁ and Y₄ are each CH₂; and     -   Y₂ is C═O and Y₃ is N—R₁₀, or Y₃ is C═O and Y₂ is N—R₁₀,         -   wherein         -   R₁₀ is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₇ is H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH(CH₃)₂, or

and each R₁₀ is H or CH₃.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   n is 1;     -   Y₁ and Y₄ are each CH₂; and     -   one of Y₂ or Y₃ is CH₂ and the other of Y₂ or Y₃ is O, SO₂, or         N—R₁₀,         -   wherein         -   R₁₀ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃,             (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, SO₂—(C₁-C₄             alkyl), SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃,             SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—(C₁-C₄             alkyl)-CF₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄             alkyl)-halogen C(O)—NH—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂,             (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂ or oxetane.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   n is 1;     -   Y₁ and Y₄ are each CH₂; and     -   one of Y₂ or Y₃ is CH₂ and the other of Y₂ or Y₃ is O, SO₂, or         N—R₁₀,         -   wherein         -   R₁₀ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃,             (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, SO₂—(C₁-C₄             alkyl), SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃,             SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—(C₁-C₄             alkyl)-CF₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃,             C(O)—(C₁-C₄alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—NH—(C₁-C₄ alkyl),             C(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂ or             oxetane.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₁₀ is H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH₃, CH(CH₃)₂, CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, t-Bu, CH₂OCH₃, CH₂CF₃, CH₂Cl, CH₂F, CH₂CH₂OCH₃, CH₂CH₂CF₃, CH₂CH₂Cl, CH₂CH₂F, or

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₁₀ is SO₂—CH₃, SO₂—CH₂CH₃, SO₂—CH₂CH₂CH₃, SO₂—CH(CH₃)₂, SO₂—CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, SO₂-t-Bu, SO₂—CH₂OCH₃, SO₂—CH₂CF₃, SO₂—CH₂Cl, SO₂—CH₂F, SO₂—CH₂CH₂OCH₃ SO₂—CH₂CH₂CF₃, SO₂—CH₂CH₂Cl, SO₂—CH₂CH₂F, or

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₁₀ is C(O)—CH₃, C(O)—CH₂CH₃, C(O)—CH₂CH₂CH₃, C(O)—CH(CH₃)₂, C(O)—CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, C(O)-t-Bu, C(O)—CH₂OCH₃, C(O)—CH₂CF₃, C(O)—CH₂Cl, C(O)—CH₂F, C(O)—CH₂CH₂OCH₃, C(O)—CH₂CH₂CF₃, C(O)—CH₂CH₂Cl, C(O)—CH₂CH₂F,

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   β, δ, ε, and ϕ are present;     -   α and χ are absent;     -   Z₁ is N;     -   Z₂ is O or N—R₇,         -   wherein R₇ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, or oxetane; and     -   X is C.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   R₇ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, or oxetane; and     -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃ and Y₄ are each independently CR₈ or N,         -   wherein each R₈ is independently H, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl,             C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂,             C(O)—N(CH₃)₂, C(O)—NHCH₃, NHC(O)—N(CH₃)₂, CN, or CF₃,

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃ and Y₄ are each CH;     -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃ are each CH and Y₄ is N;     -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₄ are each CH and Y₃ is N;     -   Y₁, Y₃, Y₄ are each CH and Y₂ is N; or     -   Y₂, Y₃, Y₄ are each CH and Y₁ is N.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₇ is H, CH₂CH₃, CH(CH₃)₂, or

and each R₈ is independently H, Cl, Br, F, OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃, CF₃, CN, CH₃, CH₃CH₃, C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂, C(O)—N(CH₃)₂, C(O)—NHCH₃, or NHC(O)—N(CH₃)₂.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃ and Y₄ are each independently CR₈ or N,         -   wherein R₈ is H, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,             O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂, C(O)—N(CH₃)₂, C(O)—NHCH₃,             NHC(O)—N(CH₃)₂, CN, or CF₃,

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃ and Y₄ are each CH;     -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃ are each CH and Y₄ is N;     -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₄ are each CH and Y₃ is N;     -   Y₁, Y₃, Y₄ are each CH and Y₂ is N; or     -   Y₂, Y₃, Y₄ are each CH and Y₁ is N.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   α and β are present;     -   χ, δ, ε, and ϕ are absent;     -   Z₁ is N;     -   Z₂ is N; and     -   X is N.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   n is 1;     -   Y₁ and Y₄ are each CH₂; and     -   one of Y₂ or Y₃ is CH₂ and the other of Y₂ or Y₂ is O, SO₂, or         N—R₁₀,         -   wherein         -   R₁₀ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃,             (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, SO₂—(C₁-C₄             alkyl), SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃,             SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—(C₁-C₄             alkyl)-CF₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄             alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—NH—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂,             (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂ or oxetane.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₁₀ is H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH₃, CH(CH₃)₂, CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, t-Bu, CH₂OCH₃, CH₂CF₃, CH₂Cl, CH₂F, CH₂CH₂OCH₃, CH₂CH₂CF₃, CH₂CH₂Cl, CH₂CH₂F, or

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₁₀ is SO₂—CH₃, SO₂—CH₂CH₃, SO₂—CH₂CH₂CH₃, SO₂—CH(CH₁)₂, SO₂—CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, SO₂-t-Bu, SO₂—CH₂OCH₃, SO₂—CH₂CF₃, SO₂—CH₂Cl, SO₂—CH₂F, SO₂—CH₂CH₂OCH₃, SO₂—CH₂CH₂CF₃, SO₂—CH₂CH₂Cl, SO₂—CH₂CH₂F, or

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₁₀ is C(O)—CH₃, C(O)—CH₂CH₃, C(O)—CH₂CH₂CH₃, C(O)—CH(CH₃)₂, C(O)—CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, C(O)-t-Bu, C(O)—CH₂OCH₃, C(O)—CH₂CF₃, C(O)—CH₂Cl, C(O)—CH₂F, C(O)—CH₂CH₂OCH₃, C(O)—CH₂CH₂CF₃, C(O)—CH₂CH₂Cl, C(O)—CH₂CH₂F,

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   α, β, ε, and ϕ are present;     -   χ and δ are absent;     -   Z₁ is N;     -   Z₂ is N; and     -   X is N.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃ and Y₄ are each independently CR₈ or N,         -   wherein each R₈ is independently H, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl,             C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, O(C₃-C₄ alkyl), CN, CF₃, C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂,             C(O)—N(CH₃)₂, C(O)—NHCH₃, or NHC(O)—N(CR₃)₂

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein each R₈ is independently H, Cl, Br, F, OCH₃, OCH₃CH₃, CF₃, CN, CH₃, CH₃CH₃, C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂, C(O)—N(CH₃)₃, C(O)—NHCH₃, NHC(O)—NHCH₃, NHC(O)—N(CH₃)₂, SO₂—NHCH₃ or SO₂—N(CH₃)₂.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   α, χ, ε, and ϕ are present;     -   β and δ are absent;     -   Z₁ is O or S;     -   Z₂ is N; and     -   X is C.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃ and Y₄ are each independently CR₈ or N,         -   wherein each R₈ is independently H, halogen, O(C₁-C₄ alkyl),             C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, CN, or CF₃.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, and R₅ are each H, t-Bu, Cl, F, or CF₃; and     -   R₆ is H, OH or F.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are each H, R₅ is CF₃; and R₆ is H.

In some embodiments, the compound having the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound having the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound having the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound having the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are each H and R₅ is CF₃, or     -   R₁ and R₂ are H, R₃ is F, R₄ is H and R₅ is CF₃, or     -   R₁, R₃ and R₅ are each H, and R₂ and R₄ are each CF₃, or     -   R₁, R₃ and R₄ are each H, R₂ is F, and R₅ is Cl, or     -   R₁, R₃ and R₄ are each H, R₂ is F, and R₅ is CF₃, or     -   R₁, R₂ and R₃ are each H, R₄ is F, and R₅ is Cl, or     -   R₁, R₂ and R₃ are each H, R₄ is F, and R₅ is CF₃; and     -   R₆ is H, OH or F.

In some embodiments, the compound having the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

wherein

-   α, β, χ, and δ are each independently absent or present, and when     present each is a bond; -   X is C or N; -   Z₃ is CH, S, O, N or NR₁₁,     -   wherein R₁₁ is H or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl; -   Z₄ is CH, S, O, N or NR₁₂,     -   wherein R₁₂ is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl; -   Q is a substituted or unsubstituted 5, 6, or 7 membered ring     structure.

In some embodiments of the above compound, the compound wherein

-   when α is present, then Z₃ are N, Z₄ is CH, X is N, β and δ are     absent, and χ is present; -   when α is absent, then Z₃ is CH or N, Z₄ is NR₇, S, or O, X is C, β     and δ are present, and χ is absent.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

wherein

-   n is an integer from 0-2; -   α, β, χ, δ, ε, and ϕ are each independently absent or present, and     when present each is a bond; -   X is C or N; -   Z₃ is CH, S, O, N or NR₁₁,     -   wherein R₁₁ is H or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl; -   Z₄ is CH, S, O, N or NR₁₂,     -   wherein R₁₂ is H or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl; -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃, and each occurrence of Y₄ are each independently CR₁₃,     C(R₁₄)₂, N—R₁₅, O, N, SO₂, or C═O,     -   wherein     -   R₁₃ is H, halogen, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, O—(C₁-C₁₀         alkyl), C(O)OH, C(O)O(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), C(O)—NH₂, C(O)—NH(C₁-C₄         alkyl), C(O)—NH(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, NHC(O)—NH(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)         NHC(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, SO₂—NH(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), SO₂—N(C₁-C₁₀         alkyl)₂, CN, CF₃, imidazole, morpholino, or pyrrolidine     -   R₁₄ is H or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl;     -   R₁₅ is H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-CF₃,         (C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-OCH₃, (C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-halogen, SO₂—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl),         SO₂—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-CF₃, SO₂—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-OCH₃, SO₂—(C₁-C₁₀         alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), C(O)—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-CF₃,         C(O)—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-OCH₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl)-halogen,         C(O)—NH—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), C(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, (C₁-C₁₀         alkyl)-C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂ or oxetane.

In some embodiments of the above compound, the compound wherein

wherein

-   when α is present, then Z₃ are N, Z₄ is CH, X is N, β and δ are     absent, and χ is present; -   when α is absent, then Z₃ is CH or N, Z₄ is NR₁₂, S, or O, X is C, β     and ε are present, and χ is absent; -   when ε and ϕ are each present, then n=1, and each of Y₁, Y₂, Y₃, and     Y₄ are independently C—R₁₃ or N; -   when ε and ϕ are each absent, then n=0, 1 or 2, each of Y₁, Y₂, Y₃,     and each occurrence of Y₄ are independently C(R₁₄)₂, N—R₁₅, O, or     SO₂.

In some embodiments of the above compound, the compound wherein

-   -   α, χ, ε, and ϕ are each present, β and δ are each absent, Z₃ is         CH, Z₄ is N; and X is N; or     -   χ, δ, ε, and ϕ are each present, α and β are each absent, Z₃ is         CH, Z₄ is N—R₁₂; and X is C; or     -   χ, δ, ε, and ϕ are each present, α and β are each absent, Z₃ is         N, Z₄ is N—R₁₂, S or O; and X is C.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   n is 1; and     -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃, and Y₄ are each C—R₁₃ or N,         -   wherein R₁₃ is H, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,             O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂, C(O)—N(CH₃)₂, C(O)—NHCH₃,             NHC(O)—N(CH₃)₂, CN, CF₃, imidazole, morpholino, or             pyrrolidine.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃, and Y₄ are each C—R₁₃; or     -   Y₁ is N, and Y₂, Y₃, and Y₄ are each C—R₁₃.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein is R₁₃ is H, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,         O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C₁-C₄ cycloalkyl, C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂,         C(O)—N(CH₃)₂, C(O)—NHCH₃, NHC(O)—N(CH₃)₂, CN, CF₃, imidazole,         morpholino, or pyrrolidine.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   n is 1;     -   R₁₂ is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl;     -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃, and Y₄ are each C—R₁₃ or N,         -   wherein R₁₃ is H, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,             O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂, C(O)—N(CH₃)₂, C(O)—NHCH₃,             NHC(O)—N(CH₃)₂, CN, CF₃, imidazole, morpholino, or             pyrrolidine.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₁₃ is H, CH₃, CF₃, OCH₃, F, Cl,

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   n is 1; and     -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃, and Y₄ , are each C—R₁₃ or N,         -   wherein R₁₃ is H, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,             O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂, C(O)—N(CH₃)₂, C(O)—NHCH₃,             NHC(O)—N(CH₃)₂, CN, CF₃, imidazole, morpholino, or             pyrrolidine.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   Y₁, Y₂, Y₃, and Y₄ are each C—R₁₃, or     -   one of Y₁, Y₂, Y₃, or Y₄ is N and the other three of Y₁, Y₂, Y₃,         or Y₄ are each C—R₁₃,         -   wherein each R₁₃ is H.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₁₆, R₁₇, and R₁₈, are each H, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl or         C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B is a substituted or unsubstituted pyridazine, pyrazole, pyrazine, thiadiazole, or triazole.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₁₉ is     -   H, halogen CN, CF₃, OH, NH₂, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,         O(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)N(C₁-C₄         alkyl)₂, C(O)OH, C(O)O(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O) (C₁-C₄ alkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₁-C₄ cycloalkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₁-C₄ aryl), O(SO₂)—NH₂, NHC(O)—NH(C₁-C₄ alkyl),         NHC(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl) or tetrazole.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₁₉ is H, Cl, Br, F, OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃, CF₃, CN, CH₃, CH₃CH₃, COOH, or COOCH₃.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B has the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   R₂₀ is H, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, O—(C₁-C₄         alkyl), C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂, C(O)—N(CH₃)₂, C(O)—NHCH₃,         NHC(O)—N(CH₃)₂, CN or CF₃.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₂₀ is H, Cl, Br, F, OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃, CF₃, CN, CH₃, or CH₃CH₃.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, and R₅ are each H, Cl, F, t-Bu or CF₃; and     -   R₆ is H, OH or F.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are each H; R₅ is CF₃; and R₆ is H;

In some embodiments, the compound having the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound having the structure:

The present invention provides compound having the structure:

-   -   wherein     -   R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, and R₅ are each independently H, halogen, CF₃ or         C₁-C₄ alkyl;     -   R₆ is H, OH, or halogen;     -   B′ is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, pyridine,         pyrimidine, benzyl, pyrrolidine, sulfolane, oxetane, CO₂H or         (C₁-C₄alkyl)-CO₂H,         -   wherein the substituted phenyl is substituted with other             than trifluoromethyl or 3-(methyl carboxylate), the             substituted pyridine is substituted with other than             trifluoromethyl and the substituted pyrrolidine is             substituted with other than hydroxamic acid, and the             substituted or unsubstituted pyrrolidine is bound to the             carbonyl through a carbon-carbon bond,

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B′ has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, and R₂₅ are each independently     -   H, halogen CN, CF₃, OH, NH₂, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl,         O(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), C(O)N(C₁-C₄         alkyl)₂, C(O)OH, C(O)O(C₁-C10 alkyl), C(O)(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)-(aryl), O(SO₂)—NH₂, NHC(O)—NH(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl),         NHC(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, SO₂—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl) or tetrazole.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B′ has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₂₁, R₂₂, and R₂₃ are each independently     -   H, halogen, OH, NH₂, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, O(C₁-C₄         alkyl), C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂,         C(O)OH, C(O)O(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)(C₁-C₄ alkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)-(aryl), O(SO₂)—NH₂, or SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl).

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₂₁, R₂₂, and R₂₃ are each independently F, Cl, CH, OCH₃, OH, SO₂—CH₃, C(O)NH₂, C(O)OH, C(O)OCH₃

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B′ has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄ and R₂₅ are each independently     -   H, halogen, OH, CF₃, NH₂, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, O(C₁-C₄         alkyl), C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂,         C(O)OH, C(O)O(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)(C₁-C₄ alkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)-(aryl), or O(SO₂)—NH₂, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl).

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄ and R₂₅ are each independently H, F, Cl, CF₃, CH₃, OCH₃, OH, SO₂—CH₃, C(O)NH₂, C(O)OH, C(O)OCH₃

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₂₂, R₂₄, R₂₅ are each H and R₂₃ is F, Cl, CH₃, CF₃, OCH₃, OH, SO₂—CH₃, C(O)NH₂, C(O)OH, C(O)OCH₃,

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B′ has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B′ has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, and R₂₅ are each independently     -   H, halogen CN, OH, NH₂, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, O(C₁-C₁₀         alkyl), C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), C(O)N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂,         C(O)OH, C(O)O(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), C(O)(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)-(aryl), O(SO₂)—NH₂, NHC(O)—NH(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl),         NHC(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, SO₂—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl).

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B′ has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₂₁ and R₂₅ are each independently     -   H, halogen, OH, NH₂, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, O(C₁-C₄         alkyl), C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂,         C(O)OH, C(O)O(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)(C₁-C₄ alkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)-(aryl), or O(SO₂)—NH₂, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl).

94 In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₂₁ and R₂₅ are each independently F, Cl, CH₃, OCH₃, OH, SO₂—CH₃, C(O)NH₂, C(O)OH, C(O)OCH₃,

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B′ has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄ and R₂₅ are each independently     -   H, halogen, OH, NH₂, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, O(C₁-C₄         alkyl), C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂,         C(O)OH, C(O)O(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)(C₁-C₄ alkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)-(aryl), or O(SO₂)—NH₂, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl).

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄ and R₂₅ are each independently H, F, Cl, CH₃, OCH₃, OH, SO₂—CH₃, C(O)NH₂, C(O)OH, C(O)OCH₃,

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₂₂, R₂₄, R₂₅ are each H and R₂₃ is F, Cl, CH₃, OCH₃, OH, SO₂—CH₃, C(O)NH₂, C(O)OH, C(O)OCH₃,

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B′ has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B′ has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, and R₂₅ are each independently     -   H, halogen CN, CF₃, OH, NH₂, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,         O(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), C(O)N(C₁-C₄         alkyl)₂, C(O)OH, C(O)O(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), C(O)(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₁-C₁₀ alkyl), C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)-(aryl), O(SO₂)—NH₂, NHC(O)—NH(C₁-C₂₃ alkyl),         NHC(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, SO₂—(C₁-C₁₂ alkyl).

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B′ has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₄ and R₂₅ are each independently     -   H, halogen, OH, NH₂, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₄ cycloalkyl, O(C₁-C₄         alkyl), C(O)NH₂, C(O)NH(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂,         C(O)OH, C(O)O(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)(C₁-C₄ alkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)NH(SO₂)—(C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl),         C(O)NH(SO₂)-(aryl), or O(SO₂)—NH₂, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl).

In some embodiments, the compound wherein R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₄ and R₂₅ are each independently H, F, Cl, CF₃, CH₃, OCH₃, OH, SO₂—CH₃, C(O)NH₂, C(O)OH, C(O)OCH₃,

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B′ has the structure

In some embodiments, the compound wherein B′ has the structure:

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, and R₅ are each H, Cl, F, t-Bu or CF₃; and     -   R₆ is H, OH or F.

In some embodiments, the compound wherein

-   -   R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are each H,     -   R₅ is t-Bu or CF₃; and     -   R₆ is H.

In some embodiments, the compound having the structure:

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The present invention provides a method for treating a disease characterized by excessive lipofuscin accumulation in the retina in a mammal afflicted therewith comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a compound of the present invention or a composition of the present invention

In some embodiments of the method, wherein the disease is further characterized by bisretinoid-mediated macular degeneration.

In some embodiments of the method, wherein the amount of the compound is effective to lower the serum concentration of RBP4 in the mammal.

In some embodiments of the method, wherein the amount of the compound is effective to lower the retinal concentration of a bisretinoid in lipofuscin in the mammal.

In some embodiments of the method, wherein the bisretinoid is A2E. In some embodiments of the method, wherein the bisretinoid is isoA2E. In some embodiments of the method, wherein the bisretinoid is A2-DHP-P. In some embodiments of the method, wherein the bisretinoid is atRAL di-PE.

In some embodiments of the method, wherein the disease characterized by excessive lipofuscin accumulation in the retina is Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

In some embodiments of the method, wherein the disease characterized by excessive lipofuscin accumulation in the retina is dry (atrophic) Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

In some embodiments of the method, wherein the disease characterized by excessive lipofuscin accumulation in the retina is Stargardt Disease.

In some embodiments of the method, wherein the disease characterized by excessive lipofuscin accumulation in the retina is Best disease.

In some embodiments of the method, wherein the disease characterized by excessive lipofuscin accumulation in the retina is adult vitelliform maculopathy.

In some embodiments of the method, wherein the disease characterized by excessive lipofuscin accumulation in the retina is Stargardt-like macular dystrophy.

In some embodiments of the compound, B or B′ has the structure:

In some embodiments, bisretinoid-mediated macular degeneration is Age-Related Macular Degeneration or Stargardt Disease.

In some embodiments, the bisretinoid-mediated macular degeneration is Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

In some embodiments, the bisretinoid-mediated macular degeneration is dry (atrophic) Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

In some embodiments, the bisretinoid-mediated macular degeneration is Stargardt Disease.

In some embodiments, the bisretinoid-mediated macular degeneration is Best disease.

In some embodiments, the bisretinoid-mediated macular degeneration is adult vitelliform maculopathy.

In some embodiments, the bisretinoid-mediated macular degeneration is Stargardt-like macular dystrophy.

The bisretinoid-mediated macular degeneration may comprise the accumulation of lipofuscin deposits in the retinal pigment epithelium.

As used herein, “bisretinoid lipofuscin” is lipofuscin containing a cytotoxic bisretinoid. Cytotoxic bisretinoids include but are not necessarily limited to A2E, isoA2E, atRAL di-PE, and A2-DHP-PE (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3).

Except where otherwise specified, when the structure of a compound of this invention includes an asymmetric carbon atom, it is understood that the compound occurs as a racemate, racemic mixture, and isolated single enantiomer. All such isomeric forms of these compounds are expressly included in this invention, Except where otherwise specified, each stereogenic carbon may be of the R or S configuration. It is to be understood accordingly that the isomers arising from such asymmetry (e.g., all enantiomers and diastereomers) are included within the scope of this invention, unless indicated otherwise. Such isomers can be obtained in substantially pure form by classical separation techniques and by stereochemically controlled synthesis, such as those described in “Enantiomers, Racemates and Resolutions” by J. Jacques, A. Collet and S. Wilen, Pub. John Wiley & Sons, N Y, 1981. For example, the resolution may be carried out by preparative chromatography on a chiral column.

The subject invention is also intended to include all isotopes of atoms occurring on the compounds disclosed herein. Isotopes include those atoms having the same atomic number but different mass numbers. By way of general example and without limitation, isotopes of hydrogen include tritium and deuterium. Isotopes of carbon include C-13 and C-14.

It will be noted that any notation of a carbon in structures throughout this application, when used without further notation, are intended to represent all isotopes of carbon, such as ¹²C, ¹³C, or ¹⁴C. Furthermore, any compounds containing ¹³C or ¹⁴C may specifically have the structure of any of the compounds disclosed herein.

It will also be noted that any notation of a hydrogen in structures throughout this application, when used without further notation, are intended to represent all isotopes of hydrogen, such as ¹H, ²H, or ³H. Furthermore, any compounds containing ²H or ³H may specifically have the structure of any of the compounds disclosed herein.

Isotopically-labeled compounds can generally be prepared by conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art using appropriate isotopically-labeled reagents in place of the non-labeled reagents employed.

The term “substitution”, “substituted” and “substituent” refers to a functional group as described above in which one or more bonds to a hydrogen atom contained therein are replaced by a bond to non-hydrogen or non-carbon atoms, provided that normal valencies are maintained and that the substitution results in a stable compound. Substituted groups also include groups in which one or more bonds to a carbon(s) or hydrogen(s) atom are replaced by one or more bonds, including double or triple bonds, to a heteroatom. Examples of substituent groups include the functional groups described above, and halogens (i.e., F, Cl, Br, and I); alkyl groups, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropryl; n-butyl, tert-butyl, and trifluoromethyl; hydroxyl; alkoxy groups, such as methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, and isopropoxy; aryloxy groups, such as phenoxy; arylalkyloxy, such as benzyloxy(phenylmethoxy) and p-trifluoromethylbenzyloxy(4-trifluoromethylphenylmethoxy); heteroaryloxy groups; sulfonyl groups, such as trifluoromethanesulfonyl, methanesulfonyl, and p-toluenesulfonyl; nitro, nitrosyl; mercapto; sulfanyl groups, such as methylsulfanyl, ethylsulfanyl and propylsulfanyl; cyano; amino groups, such as amino, methylamino, dimethylamino, ethylamino, and diethylamino; and carboxyl. Where multiple substituent moieties are disclosed or claimed, the substituted compound can be independently substituted by one or more of the disclosed or claimed substituent moieties, singly or plurally. By independently substituted, it is meant that the (two or more) substituents can be the same or different.

In the compounds used in the method of the present invention, the substituents may be substituted or unsubstituted, unless specifically defined otherwise.

In the compounds used in the method of the present invention, alkyl, heteroalkyl, monocycle, bicycle, aryl, heteroaryl and heterocycle groups can be further substituted by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with alternative non-hydrogen groups. These include, but are not limited to, halo, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, carboxy, cyano and carbamoyl.

It is understood that substituents and substitution patterns on the compounds used in the method of the present invention can be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art to provide compounds that are chemically stable and that can be readily synthesized by techniques known in the art from readily available starting materials. If a substituent is itself substituted with more than one group, it is understood that these multiple groups may be on the same carbon or on different carbons, so long as a stable structure results.

In choosing the compounds used in the method of the present invention, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the various substituents, i.e. R₁, R₂, etc. are to be chosen in conformity with well-known principles of chemical structure connectivity.

As used herein, “alkyl” includes both branched and straight-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having the specified number of carbon atoms and may be unsubstituted or substituted. Thus, C₁-C_(n) as in “C₁-C_(n) alkyl” is defined to include groups having 1, 2, . . . n−1 or n carbons in a linear or branched arrangement. For example, C₁-C₆, as in “C₁-C₆ alkyl” is defined to include groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 carbons in a linear or branched arrangement, and specifically includes methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, and hexyl. Unless otherwise specified contains one to ten carbons. Alkyl groups can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents, including but not limited to halogen, alkoxy, alkylthio, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, methoxy, and hydroxyl.

As used herein, “C₁-C₄ alkyl” includes both branched and straight-chain C₁-C₄ alkyl.

As used herein, “alkenyl” refers to a non-aromatic hydrocarbon radical, straight or branched, containing at least 1 carbon to carbon double bond, and up to the maximum possible number of non-aromatic carbon-carbon double bonds may be present, and may be unsubstituted or substituted. For example, “C₂-C₆ alkenyl” means an alkenyl radical having 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 carbon atoms, and up to 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 carbon-carbon double bonds respectively. Alkenyl groups include ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl and cyclohexenyl.

As used herein, “heteroalkyl” includes both branched and straight-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having at least 1 heteroatom within the chain or branch.

As used herein, “cycloalkyl” includes cyclic rings of alkanes of three to eight total carbon atoms, or any number within this range (i.e., cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl).

As used herein, “heterocycloalkyl” is intended to mean a 5- to 10-membered nonaromatic ring containing from 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S, and includes bicyclic groups. “Heterocyclyl” therefore includes, but is not limited to the following: imidazolyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, dihydropiperidinyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl and the like. If the heterocycle contains nitrogen, it is understood that the corresponding N-oxides thereof are also encompassed by this definition.

As used herein, “aryl” is intended to mean any stable monocyclic, bicyclic or polycyclic carbon ring of up to 10 atoms in each ring, wherein at least one ring is aromatic, and may be unsubstituted or substituted. Examples of such aryl elements include but are not limited to: phenyl, p-toluenyl(4-methylphenyl), naphthyl, tetrahydro-naphthyl, indanyl, phenanthryl, anthryl or acenaphthyl. In cases where the aryl substituent is bicyclic and one ring is non-aromatic, it is understood that attachment is via the aromatic ring.

The term “alkylaryl” refers to alkyl groups as described above wherein one or more bonds to hydrogen contained therein are replaced by a bond to an aryl group as described above. It is understood that an “alkylaryl” group is connected to a core molecule through a bond from the alkyl group and that the aryl group acts as a substituent on the alkyl group. Examples of arylalkyl moieties include, but are not limited to, benzyl(phenylmethyl), p-trifluoromethylbenzyl(4-trifluoromethylphenylmethyl), 1-phenylethyl, 2-phenylethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 2-phenylpropyl and the like.

The term “heteroaryl” as used herein, represents a stable monocyclic, bicyclic or polycyclic ring of up to 10 atoms in each ring, wherein at least one ring is aromatic and contains from 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S. Bicyclic aromatic heteroaryl groups include but are not limited to phenyl, pyridine, pyrimidine or pyridizine rings that are (a) fused to a 6-membered aromatic (unsaturated) heterocyclic ring having one nitrogen atom; (b) fused to a 5- or 6-membered aromatic (unsaturated) heterocyclic ring having two nitrogen atoms; (c) fused to a 5-membered aromatic (unsaturated) heterocyclic ring having one nitrogen atom together with either one oxygen or one sulfur atom; or (d) fused to a 5-membered aromatic (unsaturated) heterocyclic ring having one heteroatom selected from O, N or S. Heteroaryl groups within the scope of this definition include but are not limited to: benzoimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzofurazanyl, benzopyrazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, carbazolyl, carbolinyl, cinnolinyl, furanyl, indolinyl, indolyl, indolazinyl, indazolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, naphthpyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, oxazolyl, oxazoline, isoxazoline, oxetanyl, pyranyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridopyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolyl, quinoxalinyl, tetrazolyl, tetrazolopyridyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, triazolyl, azetidinyl, aziridinyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, hexahydroazepinyl, dihydrobenzoimidazolyl, dihydrobenzofuranyl, dihydrobenzothiophenyl, dihydrobenzoxazolyl, dihydrofuranyl, dihydroimidazolyl, dihydroindolyl, dihydroisooxazolyl, dihydroisothiazolyl, dihydrooxadiazolyl, dihydrooxazolyl, dihydropyrazinyl, dihydropyrazolyl, dihydropyridinyl, dihydropyrimidinyl, dihydropyrrolyl, dihydroquinolinyl, dihydrotetrazolyl, dihydrothiadiazolyl, dihydrothiazolyl, dihydrothienyl, dihydrotriazolyl, dihydroazetidinyl, methylenedioxybenzoyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothienyl, acridinyl, carbazolyl, cinnolinyl, quinoxalinyl, pyrrazolyl, indolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, benzofuranyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, indolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, tetra-hydroquinoline. In cases where the heteroaryl substituent is bicyclic and one ring is non-aromatic or contains no heteroatoms, it is understood that attachment is via the aromatic ring or via the heteroatom containing ring, respectively. If the heteroaryl contains nitrogen atoms, it is understood that the corresponding N-oxides thereof are also encompassed by this definition.

As used herein, “monocycle” includes any stable polycyclic carbon ring of up to 10 atoms and may be unsubstituted or substituted. Examples of such non-aromatic monocycle elements include but are not limited to: cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cycloheptyl. Examples of such aromatic monocycle elements include but are not limited to:

phenyl. As used herein, “heteromonocycle” includes any monocycle containing at least one heteroatom.

As used herein, “bicycle” includes any stable polycyclic carbon ring of up to 10 atoms that is fused to a polycyclic carbon ring of up to 10 atoms with each ring being independently unsubstituted or substituted. Examples of such non-aromatic bicycle elements include but are not limited to: decahydronaphthalene. Examples of such aromatic bicycle elements include but are not limited to: naphthalene. As used herein, “heterobicycle” includes any bicycle containing at least one heteroatom.

The term “phenyl” is intended to mean an aromatic six membered ring containing six carbons, and any substituted derivative thereof.

The term “benzyl” is intended to mean a methylene attached directly to a benzene ring. A benzyl group is a methyl group wherein a hydrogen is replaced with a phenyl group, and any substituted derivative thereof.

The term “pyridine” is intended to mean a heteroaryl having a six-membered ring containing 5 carbon atoms and 1 nitrogen atom, and any substituted derivative thereof.

The term “pyrimidine” is intended to mean a heteroaryl having a six-membered ring containing 4 carbon atoms and 2 nitrogen atoms wherein the two nitrogen atoms are separated by one carbon atom, and any substituted derivative thereof.

The term “pyridazine” is intended to mean a heteroaryl having a six-membered ring containing 4 carbon atoms and 2 nitrogen atoms wherein the two nitrogen atoms are adjacent to each other, and any substituted derivative thereof.

The term “pyrazine” is intended to mean a heteroaryl having a six-membered ring containing 4 carbon atoms and 2 nitrogen atoms wherein the two nitrogen atoms are separated by two carbon atoms, and any substituted derivative thereof.

The term “pyrrolidine” is intended to mean a non-aromatic five-membered ring containing four carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom, and any substituted derivative thereof.

The term “triazole” is intended to mean a heteroaryl having a five-membered ring containing two carbon atoms and three nitrogen atoms, and any substituted derivative thereof.

The term “imidazole” is intended to mean a heteroaryl having a five-membered ring containing three carbon atoms and two nitrogen atoms, and any substituted derivative thereof.

The term “thiadiazole” is intended to mean a heteroaryl having a five-membered ring containing two carbon atoms, two nitrogen atoms, and one sulfur atom and any substituted derivative thereof.

The term “pyrazole” is intended to mean a heteroaryl having a five-membered ring containing three carbon atoms and two nitrogen atoms wherein the nitrogen atoms are adjacent to each other, and any substituted derivative thereof.

The term “triazine” is intended to mean a heteroaryl having a six-membered ring containing 3 carbon atoms and 3 nitrogen atoms, and any substituted derivative thereof.

The term “indole” is intended to mean a heteroaryl having a five-membered ring fused to a phenyl ring with the five-membered ring containing 1 nitrogen atom directly attached to the phenyl ring.

The term “benzimidazole” is intended to mean a heteroaryl having a five-membered ring fused to a phenyl ring with the five-membered ring containing 2 nitrogen atoms directly attached to the phenyl ring.

The term “oxatane” is intended to mean a non-aromatic four-membered ring containing three carbon atoms and one oxygen atom, and any substituted derivative thereof.

The term “sulfolane” is intended to mean a non-aromatic five-membered ring containing four carbon atoms and one sulfur atom wherein the sulfur atom is doubly bonded to two oxygen atoms and any substituted derivative thereof.

The compounds used in the method of the present invention may be prepared by techniques well know in organic synthesis and familiar to a practitioner ordinarily skilled in the art. However, these may not be the only means by which to synthesize or obtain the desired compounds.

The compounds of present invention may be prepared by techniques described in Vogel's Textbook of Practical Organic Chemistry, A. I. Vogel, A. R. Tatchell, B. S. Furnis, A. J. Hannaford, P. W. G. Smith, (Prentice Hall) 5th Edition (1996), March's Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure, Michael B. Smith, Jerry March, (Wiley-Interscience) 5^(th) Edition (2007), and references therein, which are incorporated by reference herein. However, these may not be the only means by which to synthesize or obtain the desired compounds.

The compounds of present invention may be prepared by techniques described herein. The synthetic methods used to prepare Examples 1-103 are used to prepare additional piperidine compounds which are described in the embodiments herein.

The various R groups attached to the aromatic rings of the compounds disclosed herein may be added to the rings by standard procedures, for example those set forth in Advanced Organic Chemistry: Part B: Reaction and Synthesis, Francis Carey and Richard Sundberg, (Springer) 5th ed. Edition. (2007), the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Another aspect of the invention comprises a compound of the present invention as a pharmaceutical composition.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically active agent” means any substance or compound suitable for administration to a subject and furnishes biological activity or other direct effect in the treatment, cure, mitigation, diagnosis, or prevention of disease, or affects the structure or any function of the subject. Pharmaceutically active agents include, but are not limited to, substances and compounds described in the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR Network, LLC; 64th edition; Nov. 15, 2009) and “Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations” (U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services, 30th edition, 2010), which are hereby incorporated by reference. Pharmaceutically active agents which have pendant carboxylic acid groups may be modified in accordance with the present invention using standard esterification reactions and methods readily available and known to those having ordinary skill in the art of chemical synthesis. Where a pharmaceutically active agent does not possess a carboxylic acid group, the ordinarily skilled artisan will be able to design and incorporate a carboxylic acid group into the pharmaceutically active agent where esterification may subsequently be carried out so long as the modification does not interfere with the pharmaceutically active agent's biological activity or effect.

The compounds of the present invention may be in a salt form. As used herein, a “salt” is a salt of the instant compounds which has been modified by making acid or base salts of the compounds. In the case of compounds used to treat a disease, the salt is pharmaceutically acceptable. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, mineral or organic acid salts of basic residues such as amines: alkali or organic salts of acidic residues such as phenols. The salts can be made using an organic or inorganic acid. Such acid salts are chlorides, bromides, sulfates, nitrates, phosphates, sulfonates, formates, tartrates, maleates, malates, citrates, benzoates, salicylates, ascorbates, and the like. Phenolate salts are the alkaline earth metal salts, sodium, potassium or lithium. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” in this respect, refers to the relatively non-toxic, inorganic and organic acid or base addition salts of compounds of the present invention. These salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds of the invention, or by separately reacting a purified compound of the invention in its free base or free acid form with a suitable organic or inorganic acid or base, and isolating the salt thus formed. Representative salts include the hydrobromide, hydrochloride, sulfate, bisulfate, phosphate, nitrate, acetate, valerate, oleate, palmitate, stearate, laurate, benzoate, lactate, phosphate, tosylate, citrate, maleate, fumarate, succinate, tartrate, napthylate, mesylate, glucoheptonate, lactobionate, and laurylsulphonate salts and the like. (See, e.g., Berge et al. (1977) “Pharmaceutical Salts”, J. Pharm. Sci. 66:1-19).

As a salt or pharmaceutically acceptable salt is contemplated for all compounds disclosed herein.

As used herein, “treating” means preventing, slowing, halting, or reversing the progression of a disease or infection. Treating may also mean improving one or more symptoms of a disease or infection.

The compounds of the present invention may be administered in various forms, including those detailed herein. The treatment with the compound may be a component of a combination therapy or an adjunct therapy, i.e. the subject or patient in need of the drug is treated or given another drug for the disease in conjunction with one or more of the instant compounds. This combination therapy can be sequential therapy where the patient is treated first with one drug and then the other or the two drugs are given simultaneously. These can be administered independently by the same route or by two or more different routes of administration depending on the dosage forms employed.

As used herein, a “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” is a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, suspending agent or vehicle, for delivering the instant compounds to the animal or human. The carrier may be liquid or solid and is selected with the planned manner of administration in mind. Liposomes are also a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The dosage of the compounds administered in treatment will vary depending upon factors such as the pharmacodynamic characteristics of a specific chemotherapeutic agent and its mode and route of administration; the age, sex, metabolic rate, absorptive efficiency, health and weight of the recipient; the nature and extent of the symptoms; the kind of concurrent treatment being administered; the frequency of treatment with; and the desired therapeutic effect.

A dosage unit of the compounds used in the method of the present invention may comprise a single compound or mixtures thereof with additional agents. The compounds can be administered in oral dosage forms as tablets, capsules, pills, powders, granules, elixirs, tinctures, suspensions, syrups, and emulsions. The compounds may also be administered in intravenous (bolus or infusion), intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular form, or introduced directly, e.g. by injection, topical application, or other methods, into or onto a site of infection, all using dosage forms well known to those of ordinary skill in the pharmaceutical arts.

The compounds used in the method of the present invention can be administered in admixture with suitable pharmaceutical diluents, extenders, excipients, or carriers (collectively referred to herein as a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier) suitably selected with respect to the intended form of administration and as consistent with conventional pharmaceutical practices. The unit will be in a form suitable for oral, rectal, topical, intravenous or direct injection or parenteral administration. The compounds can be administered alone or mixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This carrier can be a solid or liquid, and the type of carrier is generally chosen based on the type of administration being used. The active agent can be co-administered in the form of a tablet or capsule, liposome, as an agglomerated powder or in a liquid form. Examples of suitable solid carriers include lactose, sucrose, gelatin and agar. Capsule or tablets can be easily formulated and can be made easy to swallow or chew; other solid forms include granules, and bulk powders. Tablets may contain suitable binders, lubricants, diluents, disintegrating agents, coloring agents, flavoring agents, flow-inducing agents, and melting agents. Examples of suitable liquid dosage forms include solutions or suspensions in water, pharmaceutically acceptable fats and oils, alcohols or other organic solvents, including esters, emulsions, syrups or elixirs, suspensions, solutions and/or suspensions reconstituted from non-effervescent granules and effervescent preparations reconstituted from effervescent granules. Such liquid dosage forms may contain, for example, suitable solvents, preservatives, emulsifying agents, suspending agents, diluents, sweeteners, thickeners, and melting agents. Oral dosage forms optionally contain flavorants and coloring agents. Parenteral and intravenous forms may also include minerals and other materials to make them compatible with the type of injection or delivery system chosen.

Techniques and compositions for making dosage forms useful in the present invention are described in the following references: 7 Modern Pharmaceutics, Chapters 9 and 10 (Banker & Rhodes, Editors, 1979); Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets (Lieberman et al., 1981); Ansel, Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms 2nd Edition (1976); Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed. (Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 1985); Advances in Pharmaceutical Sciences (David Ganderton, Trevor Jones, Eds., 1992); Advances in Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 7. (David Ganderton, Trevor Jones, James McGinity, Eds., 1995); Aqueous Polymeric Coatings for Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms (Drugs and the Pharmaceutical Sciences, Series 36 (James McGinity, Ed., 1989); Pharmaceutical Particulate Carriers: Therapeutic Applications: Drugs and the Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol 61 (Alain Rolland, Ed., 1993); Drug Delivery to the Gastrointestinal Tract (Ellis Horwood Books in the Biological Sciences. Series in Pharmaceutical Technology; J. G. Hardy, S. S. Davis, Clive G. Wilson, Eds.); Modem Pharmaceutics Drugs and the Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol 40 (Gilbert S. Banker, Christopher T. Rhodes, Eds.). All of the aforementioned publications are incorporated by reference herein.

Tablets may contain suitable binders, lubricants, disintegrating agents, coloring agents, flavoring agents, flow-inducing agents, and melting agents. For instance, for oral administration in the dosage unit form of a tablet or capsule, the active drug component can be combined with an oral, non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable, inert carrier such as lactose, gelatin, agar, starch, sucrose, glucose, methyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, dicalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, mannitol, sorbitol and the like. Suitable binders include starch, gelatin, natural sugars such as glucose or beta-lactose, corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, tragacanth, or sodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, waxes, and the like. Lubricants used in these dosage forms include sodium oleate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, and the like. Disintegrators include, without limitation, starch, methyl cellulose, agar, bentonite, xanthan gum, and the like.

The compounds used in the method of the present invention may also be administered in the form of liposome delivery systems, such as small unilamellar vesicles, large unilamallar vesicles, and multilamellar vesicles. Liposomes can be formed from a variety of phospholipids, such as cholesterol, stearylamine, or phosphatidylcholines. The compounds may be administered as components of tissue-targeted emulsions.

The compounds used in the method of the present invention may also be coupled to soluble polymers as targetable drug carriers or as a prodrug. Such polymers include polyvinylpyrrolidone, pyran copolymer, polyhydroxylpropylmethacrylamide-phenol, polyhydroxyethylasparta-midephenol, or polyethyleneoxide-polylysine substituted with palmitoyl residues. Furthermore, the compounds may be coupled to a class of biodegradable polymers useful in achieving controlled release of a drug, for example, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, copolymers of polylactic and polyglycolic acid, polyepsilon caprolactone, polyhydroxy butyric acid, polyorthoesters, polyacetals, polydihydropyrans, polycyanoacylates, and crosslinked or amphipathic block copolymers of hydrogels.

Gelatin capsules may contain the active ingredient compounds and powdered carriers, such as lactose, starch, cellulose derivatives, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, and the like. Similar diluents can be used to make compressed tablets. Both tablets and capsules can be manufactured as immediate release products or as sustained release products to provide for continuous release of medication over a period of hours. Compressed tablets can be sugar coated or film coated to mask any unpleasant taste and protect the tablet from the atmosphere, or enteric coated for selective disintegration in the gastrointestinal tract.

For oral administration in liquid dosage form, the oral drug components are combined with any oral, non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier such as ethanol, glycerol, water, and the like. Examples of suitable liquid dosage forms include solutions or suspensions in water, pharmaceutically acceptable fats and oils, alcohols or other organic solvents, including esters, emulsions, syrups or elixirs, suspensions, solutions and/or suspensions reconstituted from non-effervescent granules and effervescent preparations reconstituted from effervescent granules. Such liquid dosage forms may contain, for example, suitable solvents, preservatives, emulsifying agents, suspending agents, diluents, sweeteners, thickeners, and melting agents.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration can contain coloring and flavoring to increase patient acceptance. In general, water, a suitable oil, saline, aqueous dextrose (glucose), and related sugar solutions and glycols such as propylene glycol or polyethylene glycols are suitable carriers for parenteral solutions. Solutions for parenteral administration preferably contain a water soluble salt of the active ingredient, suitable stabilizing agents, and if necessary, buffer substances. Antioxidizing agents such as sodium bisulfite, sodium sulfite, or ascorbic acid, either alone or combined, are suitable stabilizing agents. Also used are citric acid and its salts and sodium EDTA. In addition, parenteral solutions can contain preservatives, such as benzalkonium chloride, methyl- or propyl-paraben, and chlorobutanol. Suitable pharmaceutical carriers are described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, a standard reference text in this field.

The compounds used in the method of the present invention may also be administered in intranasal form via use of suitable intranasal vehicles, or via transdermal routes, using those forms of transdermal skin patches well known to those of ordinary skill in that art. To be administered in the form of a transdermal delivery system, the dosage administration will generally be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the dosage regimen.

Parenteral and intravenous forms may also include minerals and other materials to make them compatible with the type of injection or delivery system chosen.

Each embodiment disclosed herein is contemplated as being applicable to each of the other disclosed embodiments. Thus, all combinations of the various elements described herein are within the scope of the invention.

This invention will be better understood by reference to the Experimental Details which follow, but those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the specific experiments detailed are only illustrative of the invention as described more fully in the claims which follow thereafter.

Experimental Details

Materials and Methods

TR-FRET Assay for Retinol-Induced RBP4-TTR Interaction

Binding of a desired RBP4 antagonist displaces retinol and induces hindrance for RBP4-TTR interaction resulting in the decreased FRET signal (FIG. 7). Bacterially expressed MBP-RBP4 and untagged TTR were used in this assay. For the use in the TR-FRET assay the maltose binding protein (MBP)-tagged human RBP4 fragment (amino acids 19-201) was expressed in the Gold (DE3)pLysS E. coli strain (Stratagene) using the pMAL-c4x vector. Following cell lysis, recombinant RBP4 was purified from the soluble fraction using the ACTA FPLC system (GE Healthcare) equipped with the 5-ml the MBP Trap HP column. Human untagged TTR was purchased from Calbiochem. Untagged TTR was labeled directly with Eu³⁺ Cryptate-NHS using the HTRF Cryptate Labeling kit from CisBio following the manufacturer's recommendations. HTRF assay was performed in white low volume 384 well plates (Greiner-Bio) in a final assay volume of 16 μl per well. The reaction buffer contained 10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 1 mM DTT, 0.05% NP-40, 0.05% Prionex, 6% glycerol, and 400 mM KF. Each reaction contained 60 nM MBP-RBP4 and 2 nM TTR-Eu along with 26.7 nM of anti-MBP antibody conjugated with d2 (Cisbio). Titration of test compounds in this assay was conducted in the presence of 1 μM retinal. All reactions were assembled in the dark under dim red light and incubated overnight at +4° C. wrapped in aluminum foil. TR-FRET signal was measured in the SpectraMax M5e Multimode Plate Reader (Molecular Device). Fluorescence was excited at 337 nm and two readings per well were taken: Reading 1 for time-gated energy transfer from Eu(K) to d2 (337 nm excitation, 668 nm emission, counting delay 75 microseconds, counting window 100 microseconds) and Reading 2 for Eu(K) time-gated fluorescence (337 nm excitation, 620 nm emission, counting delay 400 microseconds, counting window 400 microseconds). The TR-FRET signal was expressed as the ratio of fluorescence intensity: Flu₆₅₅/Flu₆₂₀×10,000.

Scintillation proximity RSP4 binding assay

Untagged human RBP4 purified from urine of tubular proteinuria patients was purchased from Fitzgerald Industries International. It was biotinylated using the EZ-Link Sulfo-NHS-LC-Biotinylation kit from Pierce following the manufacturer's recommendations. Binding experiments were performed in 96-well plates (OptiPlate, PerkinElmer) in a final assay volume of 100 μl per well in SPA buffer (1×PBS, pH 7.4, 1 mM EDTA, 0.1% BSA, 0.5% CHAPS). The reaction mix contained 10 nM ³H-Retinol (48.7 Ci/mmol; PerkinElmer), 0.3 mg/well Streptavidin-PVT beads, 50 nM biotinylated RBP4 and a test compound. Nonspecific binding was determined in the presence of 20 μM of unlabeled retinol. The reaction mix was assembled in the dark under dim red light. The plates were sealed with clear tape (TopSeal-A: 96-well microplate, PerkinElmer), wrapped in the aluminum foil, and allowed to equilibrate 6 hours at room temperature followed by overnight incubation at +4° C. Radiocounts were measured using a TopCount NXT counter (Packard Instrument Company).

General Procedure (GP) for Preparing Intermediates for Synthesis of Piperidine Compounds

Conditions: A1) carboxylic acid, HBTU, Et₃N, DMF; A2) carboxylic acid, EDCI, HOBt, i-Pr₂NEt, DMF; A3) acid chloride, Et₃N, CH₂Cl₂.

General Procedure (GP-A1) for carboxamide formation: A mixture of amine I (1 equiv), desired carboxylic acid (1 equiv), triethylamine (Et₃N) (3 equiv), and 2-(1H-benzotriazole-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HBTU) (1.5 equiv) in DMF (0.25 M) was stirred at room temperature until the reaction was complete by LC-MS. The mixture was diluted with H₂O and extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic extracts were washed with H₂O, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (typical eluents included either a mixture of or hexanes and EtOAc or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and a 90:9:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/concentrated NH₄OH) to afford the desired carboxamide II. The product structure was verified by ¹H NMR and by mass analysis.

General Procedure (OP-A2) for carboxamide formation: A mixture of amine I (1 equiv), desired carboxylic acid (1 equiv), N, N-diisopropylethylamine (i-Pr₂NEt) (3 equiv), 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDCI) (1.5 equiv) and hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) (1.5 equiv) in DMF (0.25 M) was stirred at room temperature until the reaction was complete by LC-MS. The mixture was diluted with H₂O and extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic extracts were washed with H₂O, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (typical eluents included either a mixture of or hexanes and EtOAc or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and a 90:9:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/concentrated NH₄OH) to afford the desired carboxamide II. The product structure was verified by ¹H NMR and by mass analysis.

General Procedure (GP-A3) for carboxamide formation: A mixture of amine I (1 equiv), Et₃N (3 equiv), and acid chloride (1 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.25 M) was stirred at ambient temperature until the reaction was complete by LC-MS. The mixture was washed with H₂O, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (typical eluents included either a mixture of or hexanes and EtOAc or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and a 90:9:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/concentrated NH₄OH) to afford the desired carboxamides II. The product structure was verified by ¹H NMR and by mass analysis.

General Procedures for Preparing (4-Phenylpiperidin-1-yl)(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)methanone Carboxamides IV

Conditions: B) acid chloride, Et₃N, CH₂Cl₂.

General Procedure (GP-B) for carboxamide formation: A mixture of amine III (1 equiv), desired acid chloride (1 equiv) and triethylamine (Et₃N) (3 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.25 M) was stirred from 0° C. to room temperature until the reaction was complete by LC-MS. The mixture was diluted with H₂O and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic extracts were washed with H₂O, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (typical eluents included either a mixture of or hexanes and EtOAc or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and a 90:9:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/concentrated NH₄OH) to afford the desired carboxamides XV. The product structure was verified by ¹H NMR and by mass analysis.

General Procedures for Preparing (4-Phenylpiperidin-1-yl)(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)methanone Sulfonamides V

Conditions: C) sulfonyl chloride, i-Pr₂NEt, CH₂Cl₂.

General Procedure (GP-C) for sulfonamide formation: A mixture of amine III (1 equiv), desired sulfonyl chloride (1 equiv) and i-Pr₂NEt (3 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.25 M) was stirred from 0° C. to room temperature until the reaction was complete by LC-MS. The mixture was diluted with H₂O and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic extracts were washed with H₂O, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (typical eluents included either a mixture of or hexanes and EtOAc or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and a 90:9:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/concentrated NH₄OH) to afford the desired sulfonamides V. The product structure was verified by ¹H NMR and by mass analysis.

General Procedures for Preparing Alkylated (4-Phenylpiperidin-1-yl)(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)methanones VI

Conditions: D) aldehyde or ketone, NaBH(OAc)₃, CH₂Cl₂.

General Procedure (GP-D) for sulfonamide formation: A mixture of amine III (1 equiv), desired aldehyde or ketone (1.5 equiv) and HOAc (6 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.25 M) was stirred for 16 hours at room temperature. To this was added sodium triacetoxyborohydride (NaBH(OAc)₃) and the mixture stirred at room temperature until the reaction was complete by LC-MS. The mixture was diluted with aqueous, saturated NaHCO₃ solution and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic extracts were washed with H₂O, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (typical eluents included either a mixture of or hexanes and EtOAc or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and a 90:9:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/concentrated NH₄OH) to afford the desired amines VI. The product structure was verified by ¹H NMR and by mass analysis.

General Procedure for Preparing (4-Phenylpiperidin-1-yl)(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)methanone Carboxamides VIII

Conditions: E) acid chloride, Et₃N, CH₂Cl₂.

General Procedure (GP-E) for carboxamide formation: A mixture of amine VII (1 equiv), desired acid chloride (1 equiv) and triethylamine (Et₃N) (3 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.25 M) was stirred from 0° C. to room temperature until the reaction was complete by LC-MS. The mixture was diluted with H₂O and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic extracts were washed with H₂O, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (typical eluents included either a mixture of or hexanes and EtOAc or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and a 90:9:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/concentrated NH₄OH) to afford the desired carboxamides VIII. The product structure was verified by ¹H NMR and by mass analysis.

General Procedures for Preparing (4-Phenylpiperidin-1-yl)(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)methanone Sulfonamides IX

Conditions: F) sulfonyl chloride, i-Pr₂NEt, CH₂Cl₂.

General Procedure (GP-F) for sulfonamide formation: A mixture of amine VII (1 equiv), desired sulfonyl chloride (1 equiv) and i-Pr₂NEt (3 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.25 M) was stirred from 0° C. to room temperature until the reaction was complete by LC-MS. The mixture was diluted with H₂O and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic extracts were washed with H₂O, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (typical eluents included either a mixture of or hexanes and EtOAc or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and a 90:9:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂/CH₂OH/concentrated NH₄OH) to afford the desired sulfonamides IX. The product structure was verified by ¹H NMR and by mass analysis.

General Procedures for Preparing Alkylated (4-Phenylpiperidin-1-yl)(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)methanones X

Conditions: G) aldehyde or ketone, NaBH(OAc)₃, CH₂Cl₂.

General Procedure (GP-G) for sulfonamide formation: A mixture of amine VII (1 equiv), desired aldehyde or ketone (1.5 equiv) and HOAc (6 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.25 M) was stirred for 16 hours at room temperature. To this was added sodium triacetoxyborohydride (NaBH(OAc)₃) and the mixture stirred at room temperature until the reaction was complete by LC-MS. The mixture was diluted with aqueous, saturated NaHCO₃ solution and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic extracts were washed with H₂O, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (typical eluents included either a mixture of or hexanes and EtOAc or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and a 90:9:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/concentrated NH₄OH) to afford the desired amines X. The product structure was verified by ¹H NMR and by mass analysis.

General Procedures for Preparing (4-Phenylpiperidin-1-yl)(1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)methanone Carboxamides XII

Conditions: H) acid chloride, Et₃N, CH₂Cl₂.

General Procedure (GP-H) for carboxamide formation: A mixture of amine XI (1 equiv), desired acid chloride (1 equiv) and triethylamine (Et₃N) (3 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.25 M) was stirred from 0° C. to room temperature until the reaction was complete by LC-MS. The mixture was diluted with H₂O and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic extracts were washed with H₂O, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (typical eluents included either a mixture of or hexanes and EtOAc or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and a 90:9:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/concentrated NH₂OH) to afford the desired carboxamides XII. The product structure was verified by ¹H NMR and by mass analysis.

General Procedures for Preparing (4-Phenylpiperidin-1-yl)(1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)methanone Sulfonamides XIII

Conditions: I) sulfonyl chloride, i-Pr₂NEt, CH₂Cl₂.

General Procedure (GP-I) for sulfonamide formation: A mixture of amine XI (1 equiv), desired sulfonyl chloride (1 equiv) and i-Pr₂NEt (3 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.25 M) was stirred from 0° C. to room temperature until the reaction was complete by LC-MS. The mixture was diluted with H₂O and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic extracts were washed with H₂O, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (typical eluents included either a mixture of or hexanes and EtOAc or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and a 90:9:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂/CH₂OH/concentrated NH₄OH) to afford the desired sulfonamides XIII. The product structure was verified by ¹H NMR and by mass analysis.

General Procedures for Preparing Alkylated (4-Phenylpiperidin-1-yl)(1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)methanone XIV

Conditions: J) aldehyde or ketone, NaBH(OAc)₃, CH₂Cl₂.

General Procedure (GP-J) for sulfonamide formation: A mixture of amine XI (1 equiv), desired aldehyde or ketone (1.5 equiv) and HOAc (6 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.25 M) was stirred for 16 hours at room temperature. To this was added sodium triacetoxyborohydride (NaBH(OAc)₃) and the mixture stirred at room temperature until the reaction was complete by LC-MS. The mixture was diluted with aqueous, saturated NaHCO₃ solution and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic extracts were washed with H₂O, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (typical eluents included either a mixture of or hexanes and EtOAc or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and a 90:9:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH/concentrated NH₄OH) to afford the desired amines XIV. The product structure was verified by ¹H NMR and by mass analysis.

Preparation 4-(2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine Hydrochloride (5)

Step A: To a solution of 1-bromo-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzene (1, 35.0 g, 156 mmol) in THF (350 mL) cooled to −78° C. under an atmosphere of N₂ gas was slowly added a solution of n-BuLi (70.4 mL, 2.5 M in THF, 176 mmol) over a period of 15 minutes. The mixture stirred at −78° C. for 40 minutes, was allowed to warm to 0° C. and then cooled back down to −78° C. To this was added a solution of 1-benzylpiperidin-4-one (22.1 g, 117 mmol) in THF (80 mL) over a period of 10 minutes. The resulting mixture continued to stir at −78° C. for 2 hours. The reaction was carefully quenched with aqueous, saturated NH₄Cl solution (500 mL) and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc (300 mL). The organic extract was washed with H₂O, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Isco CombiFlash Companion unit, 330 g Redisep column, 0-30% EtOAc in hexanes) to give 1-benzyl-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-ol (2) as a light-yellow oil (29.2 g, 74%): ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.78 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (m, 1H), 7.47 (m, 1H), 7.36 (m, 5H), 7.31 (m, 2H), 3.58 (s, 2H), 2.80 (m, 2H), 2.55 (m, 2H), 2.27 (m, 2H), 1.88 (m, 2H); MS (ESI+) m/z 336 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: A 0° C. cooled solution of 1-benzyl-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl)piperidin-4-ol (2, 29.2 g, 87.1 mmol) in thionyl chloride (60 mL) stirred for 2 hours and was then diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (250 mL). The mixture was carefully poured into a solution of aqueous, saturated NaHCO₃ solution (200 mL). The biphasic mixture was separated and the aqueous layer was further extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (400 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Isco CombiFlash Companion unit, 330 g Redisep column, 0-30% EtOAc in hexanes) to give 1-benzyl-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (3) as a light-yellow oil (13.5 g, 49%): ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.63 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.48 (m, 1H), 7.39 (m, 5H), 7.28 (m, 2H), 5.56 (s, 1H), 0.68 (s, 2H), 3.14 (m, 2H), 2.70 (m, 2H), 2.39 (m, 2H); MS (ESI+) m/z 318 [M+H]⁺.

Step C: A mixture of 1-benzyl-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (3, 13.6 g, 42.5 mmol), 10% Pd/C (3.0 g), and ammonium formate (26.8 g, 425 mmol) in CH₃OH (800 mL) was heated at reflux for 2 hours. The mixture cooled to ambient temperature and was filtered over Celite. The filtrate was concentrated and the resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Isco CombiFlash Companion unit, 330 g Redisep column, 0-10% CH₂OH with 1% NH₄OH in CH₂Cl₂) to give 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine (4) as a colorless oil (2.0 g, 21%): ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.61 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (m, 2H), 7.29 (m, 1H), 3.21 (m, 2H), 3.07 (m, 1H), 2.80 (m, 2H), 2.33 (bs, 1H), 1.77 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 230 [M+H]⁺.

Step D: To a solution of 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine (4, 5.6 g, 24.5 mmol) in CH₃CN (30 mL) was added a 4 M solution of HCl in 1,4-dioxane (6.1 mL, 24.5 mmol) at ambient temperature. The mixture stirred for 10 minutes and was then concentrated under reduced pressure to give 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride as a white solid (6.4 g, >99%): MS (ESI+) m/z 230 [M+H]⁺.

Preparation 4-(2-(Tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidine (8)

Step A: A mixture of 1-bromo-2-(tert-butyl)benzene (6, 445 mg, 2.09 mmol), pyridin-4-ylboronic acid (514 mg, 4.18 mmol), Cs₂CO₃ (2.0 g, 6.27 mmol), and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (121 mg, 0.105 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (10 mL) and H₂O (3 mL) was heated at 100° C. for 16 hours. The mixture cooled to ambient temperature and was extracted with EtOAc (100 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Isco CombiFlash Companion unit, 40 g Redisep column, 0-20% EtOAc in hexanes) to give 4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)pyridine (7) as a white solid (428 mg, 97%): ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.60 (m, 2H), 7.56 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (m, 1H), 7.26 (m, 3H), 6.90 (m, 1H), 1.20 (s, 9H); MS (ESI+) m/z 212 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: A mixture of 4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)pyridine (7, 428 mg, 2.30 mmol) and PtO₂ (70 mg) in CH₃OH (20 mL) and concentrated HCl (0.2 mL) was subjected to an atmosphere of Hz gas at a pressure of 50 PSI for 48 hours. The mixture was diluted with CH₃OH and filtered over Celite and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂, washed with aqueous saturated NaHCO₃, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure.

The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Isco CombiFlash Companion unit, 12 g Redisep column, 0-5% CH₃OH with 1% NH₄OH in CH₂Cl₂) to 4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidine (8) as a white solid (60 mg, 13%): ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.36 (m, 2H), 7.20 (m, 1H), 7.19 (m, 1H), 3.35 (m, 3H), 2.77 (m 2H), 1.82 (m, 4H), 1.42 (s, 9H); MS (ESI+) m/z 218 [M+H]⁺.

Preparation (4,5,6,7-Tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (10)

Step A: To a solution of 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (5, 0.228 g, 0.861 mmol), 6-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid (0.230 g, 0.861 mmol), and i-Pr₂NEt (0.49 mL, 2.81 mmol) in DMF (16 mL) under an atmosphere of 82 was added EDCI (0.215 g, 1.12 mmol) and HOBt (0.151 g, 1.12 mmol). The resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with H₂O (80 mL). The resulting precipitate was collected by filtration and washed with H₂O (50 mL). Purification of the obtained solid by flash column chromatography (Isco CombiFlash Rf unit, 24 g Redisep column, 0% to 6% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂ with 0.01% NH₄OH) gave tert-butyl 3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine-6(7H)-carboxylate as a white film (9, 0.242 g, 58%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.97 (s, 1H), 7.71-7.65 (m, 1H), 7.64-7.57 (m, 2H), 7.45-7.36 (m, 1H), 5.28-5.16 (m, 1H), 4.74-4.61 (m, 1H), 4.51-4.36 (m, 2H), 3.66-3.50 (m, 2H), 3.23-3.04 (m, 2H), 2.85-2.61 (m, 3H), 1.83-1.61 (m, 4H), 1.42 (s, 9H); ESI MS m/z 479 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: To a suspension of tert-butyl 3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine-6(7H)-carboxylate (9, 0.240 g, 0.502 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (3 mL) was added a 2 N HCl solution in Et₂O (3 mL) and the resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 18 hours. An additional 3 mL of a 2 N HCl solution in Et₂O was added followed by CH₃OH (3 mL). The resulting suspension was stirred for 48 hours at ambient temperature. The mixture was diluted with Et₂O (30 mL) and the solids obtained by filtration. The solids were partially dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (150 mL) and washed with aqueous saturated NaHCO₃ (50 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×50 mL) the combined organic extracts were concentrated under reduced pressure to provide (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as an off-white solid (10, 0.176 g, 92%): ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.75 (br s, 1H), 7.67 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.65-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 1H), 5.16-4.94 (m, 1H), 4.77-4.56 (m, 1H), 3.83-3.62 (m, 2H), 3.18-3.05 (m, 2H), 2.95-2.66 (m, 3H), 2.59-2.52 (m, 2H), 2.36-2.15 (m, 1H), 1.86-1.58 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 379 [M+H]⁺.

Preparation (4,5,6,7-Tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (12)

Step A: To a solution of 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (5, 0.230 g, 0.868 mmol), 5-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid (0.235 g, 0.868 mmol), and i-Pr₂NEt (0.5 mL, 2.81 mmol) in DMF (16 mL) under an atmosphere of 82 was added EDCI (0.215 g, 1.12 mmol) and HOBt (0.151 g, 1.12 mmol). The resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with H₂O (80 mL). The resulting precipitate was collected by filtration and washed with H₂O (50 mL). Purification of the obtained solid by flash column chromatography (Isco CombiFlash Rf unit, 24 g Redisep column, 0% to 6% CH₂OH in CH₂Cl₂ with 0.01% NH₄OH) gave tert-butyl 3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine-5(4H)-carboxylate as a white film (11, 0.230 g, 52%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.00 (s, 1H), 7.70-7.68 (m, 1H), 7.66-7.59 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.37 (m, 1H), 5.30-5.18 (m, 1H), 4.77-4.64 (m, 1H), 4.53-4.39 (m, 2H), 3.69-3.49 (m, 2H), 3.22-3.10 (m, 2H), 2.89-2.64 (m, 3H), 1.83-1.61 (m, 4H), 1.42 (s, 9H); ESI MS m/z 479 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: To a solution of tert-butyl 3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine-5(4H)-carboxylate (11, 0.600 g, 1.25 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) was added trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) (2 mL). The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and further co-evaporated with CH₂Cl₂ (3×10 mL) and CH₃CN (3×10 mL). The resulting residue was suspended in CH₃OH (50 mL) and 1N HCl (10 mL) was then added. The resulting solution was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue obtained was again suspended in CH₃OH (50 mL) and 1N HCl (10 mL) was then added. The resulting solution was concentrated under reduced pressure and the solid obtained was triturated with CH₃OH/CH₃CN to give (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (12, 0.332 g, 59%) mp=270-272° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.26 (s, 1H), 9.18 (s, 2H), 7.69 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (s, 2H), 7.44-7.40 (m, 1H), 5.28 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 1H), 4.68 (d, J=11.4 Hz, 1H), 4.24 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 2H), 3.38 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.20-3.11 (m, 2H), 2.95 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 2.82 (t, J=12.4 Hz, 1H), 1.85-1.63 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 379 [M+H]⁺.

Preparation (1,4,5,6-Tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (14)

Step A: A of mixture of 5-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid (0.286 g, 1.13 mmol), 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (5, 0.300 g, 1.13 mmol), benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (1.00 g, 2.26 mmol), and i-Pr₂NEt (0.438 g, 3.39 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours and then poured into H₂O. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (100 mL) and the organic layer was washed with brine (2×100 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-70% EtOAc in hexanes) to give tert-butyl 3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole-5(1H)-carboxylate as a white solid (13, 0.560 g, 100%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.80 (m, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.55-7.30 (m, 3H), 4.79-3.89 (m, 6H), 3.24-2.90 (m, 1.97-1.72 (m, 4H), 1.51 (s, 9H); MS (ESI+) m/z 465 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: To a solution of tert-butyl 3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole-5(1H)-carboxylate (0.560 g, 1.21 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) was added a 2 N HCl solution in Et₂O (6 mL). The mixture was for 24 hours and was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between CH₂Cl₂ and saturated NaHCO₂. The aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×30 mL) and the combined organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure to give (1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (14, 0.358 g, 81%), which was used as is in the next step.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of (1-Methyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydropyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: To a solution of dihydro-2H-pyran-4(3H)-one (1.57 g, 15.7 mmol) in toluene (8 mL) was added lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (1 M in THF, 16.5 mL, 16.5 mmol) at 0° C. The mixture was stirred for 2 minutes. Ethyl 2-chloro-2-oxoacetate (1.06 g, 7.80 mmol) was then added and the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 5 minutes. A solution of HOAc (1.3 mL) in H₂O (12 mL) was added. The organic layer was separated, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-40% EtOAc in hexanes) to give a light yellow oil. The material was dissolved in EtOH (10 mL). Methylhydrazine (0.115 mg, 2.50 mmol) was added. The solution was heated at 75° C. for 1 h, cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-40% EtOAc in hexanes) to give ethyl 1-methyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydropyrano[4,3-c]pyrazole-3-carboxylate as a white solid (0.264 g, 50%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.82 (s, 2H), 4.37 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.94 (m, 2H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 2.72 (m, 2H), 1.39 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); MS (ESI+) m/z 211 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: To a solution of ethyl 1-methyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydropyrano[4,3-c]pyrazole-3-carboxylate (0.186 g, 0.885 mmol) in CH₃OH (2 mL) and THF (2 mL) was added aqueous 2 N NaOH (2 mL). The mixture was stirred for 2 hours and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was diluted with H₂O (25 mL), and acidified with 2 N HCl to pH 5. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL). The combined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a white solid (0.093 g, 57%). A mixture of this material (0.031 g, 0.170 mmol), 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine (5, 0.039 g, 0.170 mmol), EDCI (0.039 g, 0.204 mmol), HOBt (0.028 g, 0.204 mmol), Et₃N (0.072 mL, 0.510 mmol) and CH₂Cl₂ (3 mL) was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 h and chromatographed over silica gel (0-4% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂ with 0.05% NH₄OH) to give (1-methyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydropyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl) methasone as a white solid (0.060 g, 90%): mp 44-46° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.63 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (m, 1H), 5.36 (m, 1H), 4.88 (m, 3H), 3.95 (m, 2H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.27-3.18 (m, 2H), 2.85-2.69 (m, 3H), 1.86-1.70 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 394 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of (4-(2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)(1,6,6-trimethyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydropyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-3-yl)methanone

Step A: To a solution of 2,2-dimethyldihydro-2H-pyran-4(3H)-one (1.00 g, 7.80 mmol) in toluene (6 mL) was added lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (1 M in THF, 8.19 mL, 8.19 mmol) at 0° C. The mixture was stirred for 2 minutes followed by addition of ethyl 2-chloro-2-oxoacetate (1.06 g, 7.80 mmol). The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 5 minutes followed by addition of HOAc (0.64 mL) in H₂O (8 mL). The organic layer was separated, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-40% EtOAc in hexanes) to give a yellow oil. The material was dissolved in EtOH (10 mL). Methylhydrazine (0.103 mg, 2.23 mmol) was added. The solution was heated at 75° C. for 1.5 h, cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-40% EtOAc in hexanes) to give ethyl 1,6,6-trimethyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydropyrano[4,3-c]pyrazole-3-carboxylate as a thick oil (0.135 g, 38%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.80 (s, 2H), 4.32 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 4.14 (s, 3H), 2.63 (s, 2H), 1.36 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H), 1.30 (s, 6H); MS (ESI+) m/z 239 [M+H]⁺.

Step B : To a solution of ethyl 1,6,6-trimethyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydropyrano[4,3-c]pyrazole-3-carboxylate (0.118 g, 0.521 mmol) in CH₂OH (2 mL) and THF (2 mL) was added aqueous 2 N NaOH (2 mL). The mixture stirred for 3 hours and was diluted with H₂O and acidified to pH 5 with 2 N HCl. The mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and the organic extract was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a white solid (0.085 g, 71%). A mixture of this material, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (5, 0.090 g, 0.338 mmol), EDCI (0.049 g, 0.257 mmol), HOBt (0.035 g, 0.257 mmol), Et₃N (0.090 mL, 0.642 mmol) and CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 h and chromatographed over silica gel (0-4% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂) to give (4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)(1,6,6-trimethyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydropyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-3-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.078 g, 86%): mp 58-64° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.65 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.38-7.31 (m, 2H), 4.67 (s, 2H), 3.92 (s, 3H), 3.26-3.07 (m, 3H), 2.65 (s, 2H), 1.92-1.69 (m, 6H), 1.31 (s, 6H); MS (ESI+) m/z 422 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of (1-methyl-5,5-dioxido-1,4,6,7-tetrahydrothiopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: To a solution of dihydro-2H-thiopyran-4(3H)-one (1.00 g, 8.61 mmol) in toluene (4 mL) was added lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (1 M in THF, 8.61 mL, 8.61 mmol) at 0° C. The mixture was stirred for 2 minutes. Ethyl 2-chloro-2-oxoacetate (1.18 g, 8.61 mmol) was then added and the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 5 minutes followed by addition of a solution of HOAc (0.6 mL) in H₂O (30 mL). The resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc (20 mL) and the organic extract was washed with brine (20 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-40% EtOAc in hexanes) to give a yellow oil. The material was dissolved in EtOH (20 mL). Methylhydrazine (0.202 mg, 4.39 mmol) was added. The solution was heated at 75° C. for 3 hours then cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-30% EtOAc in hexanes) to give ethyl 1-methyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydrothiopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazole-3-carboxylate as a thick oil (0.093 g, 5%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 4.36 (q, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 4.11 (s, 3H), 3.87 (s, 2H), 2.98-2.86 (m, 4H), 1.39 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); MS (ESI+) m/z 227 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: To a solution of ethyl 1-methyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydrothiopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazole-3-carboxylate (0.118 g, 0.521 mmol) in CH₃OH (2 mL) and THF (2 mL) was added aqueous 2 N NaOH (2 mL). The mixture stirred for 1 hour then concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was diluted with H₂O (5 mL), and acidified to pH 5 with 1 N HCl. A precipitate formed and was collected by filtration and dried in vacuo (0.073 g, 71%). A mixture of this material, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (5, 0.090 g, 0.338 mmol), EDCI (0.078 g, 0.406 mmol), HOBt (0.055 g, 0.406 mmol), Et₃N (0.142 mL, 1.01 mmol) and CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours and chromatographed over silica gel (0-4% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂) to give (1-methyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydrothiopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a thick oil (0.102 g, 74%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.65 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (m, 1H), 7.40-7.29 (m, 2H), 4.86 (m, 1H), 3.91-2.91 (m, 13H), 1.96-1.49 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 410 [M+H]⁺.

Step C: To a solution of (1-methyl-1,4,6,7-tetrahydrothiopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.102 g, 0.249 mmol) in CH₃CM (15 mL) and H₂O (8 mL) was added Oxone (0.612 g, 0.996 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 3 hours, poured into saturated NaHCO₃ and extracted with EtOAc. The organic extract was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-4% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂) to give (1-methyl-5,5-dioxido-1,4,6,7-tetrahydrothiopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.103 g, 93%): mp 232-234° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.66 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (br s, 1H), 7.34 (m, 2H), 4.84 (br s, H), 4.15-3.84 (m, 6H), 3.35-2.98 (m, 7H), 2.00-1.54 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 442 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of (6-Fluoro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: A solution of 5-fluoro-2-hydrazinylpyridine (0.460 g, 3.62 mmol) and ethyl 2-oxoacetate (50% in toluene, 0.739 g, 3.62 mmol) in CH₂OH (20 mL) was heated at 60° C. for 1 hour, cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL). PhI(OAc)₂ (1.28 g, 3.98 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-80% EtOAc in hexanes) to give ethyl 6-fluoro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-3-carboxylate as an off-white solid (0.331 g, 43%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)) δ 9.18 (m, 1H), 8.00-7.95 (m, 1H), 7.49-7.42 (m, 1H), 4.60 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.52 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); MS (ESI+) m/z 210 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: To a solution of ethyl 6-fluoro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-3-carboxylate (0.100 g, 0.478 mmol) in THF (5 mL) was added a solution of LiOH hydrate (0.040 g, 0.956 mmol) in H₂O (2 mL). The mixture stirred for 20 minutes and was then acidified to pH 6 with 2 N HCl followed by subsequent concentration under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was added to a mixture of 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (5, 0.127 g, 0.478 mmol), benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (0.423 g, 0.956 mmol), i-Pr₂NEt (0.185 g, 1.43 mmol) in DMF (4 mL). The mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours and was then poured into H₂O and extracted with EtOAc (30 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine (2×30 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-50% EtOAc in hexanes) and freeze dried to give (6-fluoro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.101 g, 53%): mp 168-170° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.18 (s, 1H), 7.88 (m, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.55-7.30 (m, 4H), 5.76 (m, 1H), 4.99 (m, 1H), 3.40-3.30 (m, 2H), 2.98 (m, 1H), 2.03-1.76 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 393 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of (6-Methoxy-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: A solution of 2-hydrazinyl-5-methoxypyridine (0.674 g, 4.84 mmol) and ethyl 2-oxoacetate (50% in toluene, 0.988 g, 4.84 mmol) in CH₂OH (25 mL) was heated at 60° C. for 1 hour, then cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (25 mL) and PhI(OAc)₂ (1.71 g, 5.32 mmol) was added. The resulting mixture stirred for 16 hours then concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-80% EtOAc in hexanes) to give ethyl 6-methoxy-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-3-carboxylate as an off-white solid (0.937 g, 87%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.69 (dd, J=2.2, 0.6 Hz, 1H), 7.84 (dd, J=9.8, 0.7 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (dd, J=9.8, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 4.58 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.92 (s, 3H), 1.52 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); MS (ESI+) m/z 222 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: To a solution of ethyl 6-methoxy-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-3-carboxylate (0.060 g, 0.271 mmol) in THF (5 mL) was added a solution of LiOH hydrate (0.034 g, 0.813 mmol) in H₂O (3 mL). The mixture was stirred for 1 hour, was acidified to pH 6 with 2 N HCl, followed by concentration under reduced pressure. The residue was added to a mixture of 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (5, 0.072 g, 0.271 mmol), benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (0.240 g, 0.542 mmol), and i-Pr₂NEt (0.105 g, 0.813 mmol) in DMF (5 mL). The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours and then poured into H₂O. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (30 mL) and the organic layer was washed with brine (2×30 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-50% EtOAc in hexanes) and freeze dried to give (6-methoxy-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.094 g, 85%): mp 152-154° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.70 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (dd, J=9.9, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.55-7.44 (m, 2H), 7.32 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (dd, J=9.9, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 5.76 (m, 1H), 4.97 (m, 1H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 3.39-3.29 (m, 2H), 2.98 (m, 1H), 2.03-1.77 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 405 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of (6,6-Dihydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-c][1,4]oxazin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: To a solution of morpholin-3-one (0.442 g, 4.37 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) was added trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate (0.711 g, 4.81 mmol). The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 3 hours and was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was added to a solution of ethyl 2-hydrazinyl-2-oxoacetate (0.577 g, 4.37 mmol) in CH₂OH (25 mL) and the resulting mixture was heated at 60° C. for 16 hours. The mixture cooled to ambient temperature and was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between aqueous saturated NH₄Cl and CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was separated, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-100% EtOAc in hexanes with 0.05% NH₄OH) to give ethyl 6,8-dihydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-c][1,4]oxazine-3-carboxylate as a white solid (0.200 g, 23%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 5.04 (s, 2H), 4.49 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 4.41 (m, 2H), 4.06 (m, 2H), 1.46 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); MS (ESI+) m/z 198 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: To a solution of ethyl 6,8-dihydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-c][1,4]oxazine-3-carboxylate (0.072 g, 0.365 mmol) in THF (3 mL) was added a solution of LiOH monohydrate (0.031 g, 0.730 mmol) in H₂O (2 mL). The mixture stirred for 20 minutes and was then acidified to pH 6 with 2 N HCl, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was added to a mixture of 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (5, 0.097 g, 0.365 mmol), benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (0.323 g, 0.730 mmol), and i-Pr₂NEt (0.142 g, 1.10 mmol) in DMF (4 mL). The mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours and was then poured into H₂O and subsequently extracted with EtOAc (30 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine (2×30 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed by reverse phase column (10-50% CH₃CN in H₂O) and freeze dried to give (6-methoxy-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)((3aR,5r,6aS)-5-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrrol-2(1H)-yl)methanone as an off-white solid (0.062 g, 44%): mp 202-203° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.61 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (m, 2H), 7.31-7.25 (m, 1H), 5.03 (s, 2H), 4.54-4.47 (m, 2H), 4.38-4.27 (m, 2H), 4.08-4.00 (m, 2H), 3.91-3.74 (m, 2H), 3.62-3.50 (m, 1H), 3.01-2.80 (m, 2H), 2.44-2.32 (m, 2H), 1.69-1.56 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 407 (M+H); HPLC>99% purity (method C). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.65 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 5.44-5.39 (m, 1H), 5.09-4.98 (m, 2H), 4.90-4.84 (m, 1H), 4.53-4.44 (m, 1H), 4.36-4.28 (m, 1H), 4.11-3.98 (m, 2H), 3.30-3.21 (m, 2H), 2.94-2.85 (m, 1H), 2.031.71 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 381 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of 1-(3-(4-(2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl) piperidine-1-carbonyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-5(1H,4H,6H)-yl)ethanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-H, (1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl) (4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (14) and acetyl chloride were converted to 1-O-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-5(1H,4H,6H)-yl)ethanone as a white solid (0.043 g, 48%): mp 186-192° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.66 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.42-7.31 (m, 2H), 4.91-4.55 (m, 5H), 4.21 (m, 1H), 3.41-2.92 (m, 3H), 2.17 (d, J=4.5 Hz, 3H), 1.98-1.76 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 407 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of (5-(Methylsulfonyl)-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-I, (1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (14) and methanesulfonyl chloride were converted to (5-(methylsulfonyl)-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl) methanone as a white solid (0.053 g, 54%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.66 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.41-7.32 (m, 2H), 4.82-4.09 (m, 6H), 3.30-2.22 (m, 2H), 3.93 (m, 4H), 2.05-1.74 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 443 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 9 Preparation of (5-Methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-J, (1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) piperidin-1-yl)methanone (14) and formaldehyde were converted to (5-methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.060 g, 57%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.65 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.42-7.30 (m, 2H), 4.85 (m, 1H), 4.32 (m, 1H), 3.83 (s, 4H), 3.28-2.88 (m, 3H), 2.63 (s, 3H), 2.01-1.77 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 379 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 10 Preparation of (5-Methyl-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydropyrazolo[4,3-c]azepin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: To a solution of tert-butyl 4-oxoazepane-1-carboxylate (0.300 g, 1.41 mmol) in THF (10 mL) was added bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (1 M THF, 1.55 mL, 1.55 mmol) over 10 min at −78° C. and the mixture stirred for 1 hour at this temperature. Diethyl oxalate (0.206 g, 1.41 mmol) was then added and the mixture stirred for an additional 2 hours at −78° C. The mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature, and was quenched with saturated aqueous NH₄Cl. The resulting mixture was extracted with EtOAc and the extract was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-40% EtOAc in hexanes) to give tert-butyl 3-(2-ethoxy-2-oxoacetyl)-4-oxoazepane-1-carboxylate as an oil (0.144 g, 32%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 15.66 (s, 1H), 4.45-4.32 (m, 4H), 3.61 (m, 2H), 2.80 (m, 2H), 1.88-1.80 (m, 2H), 1.45-1.37 (m, 12H); MS (ESI+) m/z 214 [M-CO₂C₄H₈+H].

Step B: To a solution of tert-butyl 3-(2-ethoxy-2-oxoacetyl)-4-oxoazepane-1-carboxylate (0.144 g, 0.460 mmol) in THF (3 mL) was added a solution of hydrazine in THF (1 M, 2.3 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 hours and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-10% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂) to give 5-tert-butyl 3-ethyl 4,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrazolo[4,3-c]azepine-3,5(1H)-dicarboxylate as a thick oil (0.100 g, 70%): MS (ESI+) m/z 254 [M-C₄H₈+H].

Step C: To a solution of 5-tert-butyl 3-ethyl 4,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrazolo[4,3-c]azepine-3,5(1H)-dicarboxylate (0.100 g, 0.323 mmol) in THF (3 mL) and CH₃OH (0.5 mL) was added a solution of LiOH monohydrate (0.067 g, 1.62 mmol) in H₂O (2 mL). The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours, acidified to pH 6 with 2 N HCl. The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and the resulting residue was added to a mixture of added 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (5, 0.086 g, 0.323 mmol), benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (0.286 g, 0.969 mmol), and i-Pr₂NEt (0.17 mL, 0.969 mmol) in DMF (3 mL). The mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 8 hours and was diluted with H₂O and extracted with EtOAc (30 mL). The extract was washed with brine (2×30 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-100% EtOAc in hexanes) to give tert-butyl 3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrazolo[4,3-c]azepine-5(1H)-carboxylate as a thick oil (0.054 g, 34%): MS (ESI+) m/z 493 [M+H]⁺.

Step D: To a solution of tert-butyl 3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrazolo[4,3-c]azepine-5(1H)-carboxylate (0.054 g, 0.110 mmol) in CH₃OH (10 mL) was added a 2 N solution of HCl in Et₂O (5 mL). The reaction was stirred for 6 hours and was concentrated under reduced pressure. The material was dissolved in CH₂OH (3 mL) and aqueous formaldehyde (37% solution in H₂O, 0.011 mL, 0.132 mmol) was added, followed by NaBH(OAc), (0.047 g, 0.22 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes, and was subsequently poured into saturated NaHCO₃ and extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed by reverse phase chromatography (0-50% CH₃CN in H₂O) and freeze dried to give (5-methyl-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydropyrazolo[4,3-c]azepin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.034 g, 76%): mp 75-85° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.63 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 4.84-4.51 (m, 2H), 3.73 (s, 2H), 3.25-2.80 (m, 7H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 1.90-1.74 (m, 7H); MS (ESI+) m/z 407 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 11 Preparation of (6-Methyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: To a mixture of sodium 6-bromo-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-3-carboxylate (0.250 g, 0.947 mmol) and CH₃OH (5 mL) was added aqueous HCl (3 N, 0.32 mL). The mixture was stirred for 5 minutes and was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was added to a mixture of 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (5, 0.252 g, 0.947 mmol), benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (0.838 g, 1.89 mmol), and i-Pr₂NEt (0.49 mL, 2.84 mmol) in DMF (5 mL). The mixture stirred for 16 hours then poured into H₂O. The aqueous mixture was extracted with EtOAc (80 mL) and the organic layer was washed with brine (2×80 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-50% EtOAc in hexanes) to give (6-bromo-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a light yellow solid (0.240 g, 56%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.38 (m, 1H), 7.78 (m, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.55-7.43 (m, 3H), 7.32 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 5.73-5.68 (m, 1H), 5.00-4.95 (m, 1H), 3.40-3.28 (m, 2H), 3.03-2.94 (m, 1H), 2.01-1.81 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 455 [M+H+2].

Step B: To a mixture of (6-bromo-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.064 g, 0.141 mmol), Fe(acac)₃ (0.005 g, 0.0141 mmol), NMP (0.05 mmol), and THF (1 mL) was added CH₃MgBr (1.4 M solution in THF/toluene, 0.15 mL, 0.212 mmol) dropwise at 0° C. The resulting mixture was warmed to ambient temperature and stirred for 1 hour. Additional CH₃MgBr solution (1.4 M solution in THF/toluene, 0.15 mL, 0.212 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for an additional 1 hour. 2 N HCl (0.5 mL) was then added and the mixture was poured into saturated NaHCO₃ and extracted with EtOAc. The extract was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-70% EtOAc in hexanes) and freeze dried to give (6-methyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.044 g, 80%): mp 145-147° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.92 (m, 1H), 7.78 (m, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.55-7.44 (m, 2H), 7.34-7.26 (m, 2H), 5.70-5.65 (m, 1H), 4.98 (m, 1H), 3.38-3.28 (m, 2H), 3.02-2.92 (m, 1H), 2.39 (s, 3H), 2.07-1.67 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 389 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 12 Preparation of (6-Chloro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: A solution of 5-chloro-2-hydrazinylpyridine (1.19 g, 8.29 mmol) and ethyl 2-oxoacetate (50% in toluene, 1.70 g, 8.29 mmol) in CH₃OH (30 mL) was heated at 60° C. for 1 hour, cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL) and PhI(OAc)₂ (2.67 g, 8.29 mmol) was added. The resulting mixture stirred for 2 hours and was concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-50% EtOAc in hexanes) to give ethyl 6-chloro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-3-carboxylate as an yellow solid (1.61 g, 86%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.26 (m, 1H), 7.93 (dd, J=9.7, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (dd, J=9.7, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 4.60 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.52 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H).

Step B: To a solution of ethyl 6-chloro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-3-carboxylate (0.058 g, 0.257 mmol) in THF (4 mL) was added a solution of LiOH monohydrate (0.032 g, 0.771 mmol) in H₂O (2 mL). The mixture stirred for 30 minutes and was acidified to pH 6 with 2 N HCl. The mixture was concentrated under reduce pressure and the residue was added to a separate of mixture 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (5, 0.068 g, 0.257 mmol), benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (0.227 g, 0.514 mmol), and i-Pr₂NEt (0.100 g, 0.771 mmol) in DMF (2 mL). The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours and was poured into H₂O. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (30 mL) and the organic layer was washed with brine (2×30 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-40% EtOAc in hexanes) and freeze dried to give (6-chloro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.036 g, 34%): mp 158-160° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.27 (m, 1H), 7.84 (m, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.55-7.30 (m, 4H), 5.73-5.68 (m, 1H), 5.00-4.94 (m, 1H), 3.39-3.28 (m, 2H), 3.03-2.93 (m, 1H), 2.04-1.76 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 409 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 13 Preparation of (6-(Trifluoromethyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl) methanone

Step A: A solution of 2-hydrazinyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (0.525 g, 2.96 mmol) and ethyl 2-oxoacetate (50% in toluene, 0.604 g, 2.96 mmol) in CH₃OH (20 mL) was heated at 60° C. for 1 hour, then cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL) to which PhI(OAc)₂ (0.953 g, 2.96 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 2 hours. The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-50% EtOAc in hexanes) to give ethyl 6-(trifluoromethyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-3-carboxylate as an yellow solid (0.626 g, 81%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.57 (m, 1H), 8.08 (d, J=9.6 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (dd, J=9.6, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 4.62 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 1.53 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H).

Step B: To a solution of ethyl 6-(trifluoromethyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-3-carboxylate (0.067 g, 0.259 mmol) in THF (3 mL) was added a solution LiOH monohydrate (0.033 g, 0.777 mmol) in H₂O (1 mL). The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes then acidified to pH 6 with 2 N HCl and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was added to a mixture of 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (5, 0.069 g, 0.259 mmol), benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (0.228 g, 0.516 mmol), and i-Pr₂NEt (0.100 g, 0.777 mmol) in DMF (2 mL). The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours and poured into H₂O. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (30 mL) and the organic layer was washed with brine (2×30 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-40% EtOAc in hexanes) and freeze dried to give (6-(trifluoromethyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.042 g, 36%): mp 144-146° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.60 (m, 1H), 8.00 (d, J=9.6 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.59-7.43 (m, 3H), 7.33 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.73-5.68 (m, 1H), 5.01-4.96 (m, 1H), 3.41-3.32 (m, 2H), 3.05-2.96 (m, 1H), 2.06-1.78 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 443 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 14 Preparation of (6-Ethoxy-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: A solution of 5-ethoxy-2-hydrazinylpyridine (0.460 g, 3.00 mmol) and ethyl 2-oxoacetate (50% in toluene, 0.613 g, 3.00 mmol) in CH₃OH (20 mL) was heated at 60° C. for 1 hour, cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL). PhI(OAc)₂ (1.06 g, 3.30 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 2 hours and concentrated under reduced pressure, The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-80% EtOAc in hexanes) to give ethyl 6-ethoxy-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-3-carboxylate as an yellow solid (0.620 g, 87%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.67 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.84 (dd, J=9.8, 0.7 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (dd, J=9.8, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 4.57 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 4.10 (q, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.54-1.48 (m, 6H); MS (ESI+) m/z 236 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: To a solution of ethyl 6-ethoxy-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-3-carboxylate (0.072 g, 0.306 mmol) in THF (3 mL) was added a solution of lithium hydroxide hydrate (0.038 g, 0.918 mmol) in H₂O (1 mL). The mixture was stirred for 30 min, acidified to pH 6 with 2 N HCl and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue were added to a mixture of 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (5, 0.081 g, 0.306 mmol), benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (0.271 g, 0.612 mmol), and i-Pr₂NEt (0.119 g, 0.918 mmol) in DMF (2 mL). The mixture Was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours and poured into 820. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (30 mL) and the organic layer was washed with brine (2×30 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-30% EtOAc in hexanes) and freeze dried to give (6-ethoxy-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as an off-white solid (0.068 g, 53%): mp 113-115° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl) δ 8.68 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (m, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.54-7.44 (m, 2H), 7.34-7.19 (m, 2H), 5.78-5.73 (m, 1H), 4.96 (m, 1H), 4.12-4.04 (m, 2H), 3.37-2.29 (m, 2H), 3.01-2.92 (m, 1H), 2.03-1.76 (m, 4H), 1.48 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H); MS (ESI+) m/z 419 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 15 Preparation of (5-Fluoro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 5-fluoro-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (5-fluoro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.087 g, 51%): mp 188-190° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.64 (s, 1H), 7.73-7.59 (m, 5H), 7.45-7.39 (m, 1H), 7.36-7.29 (m, 1H), 5.08-4.99 (m, 1H), 4.83-4.74 (m, 1H), 3.29-3.13 (m, 2H), 2.95-2.85 (m, 1H), 1.86-1.71 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 392 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 16 Preparation of (4,5,6,7-Tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone Hydrochloride

Step A: To a solution of (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (6, 0.045 g, 0.12 mmol) in CH₃OH (1.0 mL) was added HCl (2N in Et₂O, 0.060 mL, 0.12 mmol) the reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for 30 min. The reaction was diluted with Et₂O (20 ml) and the solids collected by filtration to provide (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone hydrochloride as a white solid (10, 0.031 g, 63%): mp 272-278° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.32 (s, 1H), 9.47 (s, 2H), 7.68 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.65-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.45-7.38 (m, 1H), 5.32-5.27 (m, 1H), 4.72-4.64 (m, 1H), 4.27-4.16 (m, 2H), 3.35 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 3.24-3.20 (m, 2H), 2.96 (t, J=5.5 Hz, 2H), 2.86-2.75 (m, 1H), 1.82-1.63 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 379 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 17 Preparation of 1-(3-(4-(2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-6(7H)-yl)ethanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-E, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and acetyl chloride were converted to (1-(3-(4--(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-6(7H)-yl)ethanone as a white solid (0.032 g, 71%): mp 202-209° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.99-12.91 (m, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.65-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.44-7.38 (m, 1H), 5.31-5.12 (m, 1H), 4.47-4.46 (m, 3H), 3.80-3.61 (m, 2H), 3.20-3.09 (m, 2H), 2.85-2.75 (m, 2H), 2.65 (t, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 2.11-2.05 (m, 3H), 1.82-1.65 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 421 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 18 Preparation of (6-(Methylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-F, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and methane sulfonylchloride were converted to (6-(methylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.034 g, 70%): mp 242-245° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.03 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.64-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.39 (m, 1H), 5.30-5.21 (m, 1H), 4.72-4.64 (m, 1H), 4.43-4.27 (m, 2H), 3.51-3.41 (m, 2H), 3.21-3.09 (m, 2H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 2.86-2.75 (m, 3H), 1.81-1.64 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 457 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 19 Preparation of (6-Methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-G, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and 37% aqueous formaldehyde were converted to (6-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.008 g, 13%): mp 115-120° C.; NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.83 (br s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.65-7.59 (m, 2H), 7.45-7.38 (m, 1H), 5.15-5.07 (m, 2H), 4.71-4.63 (m, 2H), 3.62-3.40 (m, 2H), 3.18-3.07 (m, 2H), 2.83-2.65 (m, 4H), 2.47-2.38 (m, 2H), 1.83-1.62 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 393 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 20 Preparation of (6-Fluoro-1K-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 6-fluoro-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (6-fluoro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.053 g, 31%): mp 210-212° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.54 (s, 1H), 8.04-8.01 (m, 1H), 7.71-7.60 (m, 3H), 7.44-7.39 (m, 2H), 7.13-7.10 (m, 1H), 4.96-4.78 (m, 2H), 3.25-3.17 (m, 2H), 2.92-2.90 (m, 1H), 1.82-1.77 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 392 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 21 Preparation of (5-Fluoro-1-methyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.079 g, 44%): mp 161-163° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 7.90-7.20 (m, 4H), 7.45-7.43 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.20 (m, 1H), 4.68 (br s, 1H), 4.22 (br s, 3H), 3.76-3.48 (m, 2H), 3.13-3.02 (m, 2H), 2.01-1.57 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 406 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 22 Preparation of 1-(3-(4-Fluoro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)ethanone

Step A: To a solution of 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-4-ol (1.00 g, 4.08 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (25 mL) and i-Pr₂NEt (1.0 mL, 5.74 mmol) was added di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (1.07 g 4.90 mmol) and the reaction stirred at ambient temperature for 4 hours. The reaction was diluted with aqueous saturated NH₄Cl and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×25 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with H₂O, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to provide tert-butyl 4-hydroxy-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate as an off-white solid (1.20 g, 85%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.79 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.53-7.51 (m, 2H), 7.40-7.34 (m, 1H), 4.09-4.02 (m, 2H), 3.31-3.20 (m, 2H), 2.16-2.05 (m, 2H), 1.96-1.77 (m, 3H), 1.48 (s, 9H).

Step B: To a solution of tert-butyl 4-hydroxy-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate (0.400 g, 1.16 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (12 mL) stirring at −50° C. was added Deoxo-Flour® (0.26 mL, 1.41 mmol) dropwise over 20 min. The reaction was slowly warmed to room temperature over a period of 16 hours. The reaction was quenched with a saturated aqueous solution of Na₂CO₄ (20 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×20 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with H₂O, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Isco CombiFlash Companion unit, 40 g Redisep column, 0-100% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide tert-butyl 4-fluoro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate as a clear liquid (0.205 g, 51%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.79 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.53-7.51 (m, 2H), 7.40-7.34 (m, 1H), 4.09-4.02 (m, 2H), 3.31-3.20 (m, 2H), 2.16-2.05 (m, 2H), 1.96-1.77 (m, 3H), 1.48 (s, 9H).

Step C: To a solution of tert-butyl 4-fluoro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate (0.205 g, 0.59 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL) was added a solution of 2 M HCl in Et₂O (2 mL) and the solution stirred for 6 hours at ambient temperature. The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to provide 4-fluoro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride as an off-white solid (0.153 g, 92%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 9.15-8.90 (m, 1H), 7.88-7.51 (m, 4H), 3.40-3.02 (m, 6H), 2.22-2.14 (m, 2H); ESI MS m/z 248 [M+H]⁺.

Step D: To a solution of 4-fluoro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (0.128 g, 0.45 mmol), 5-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid (0.130 g, 0.50 mmol), and i-Pr₂NEt (0.24 mL, 1.38 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) was added EDCI (0.120 g, 0.63 mmol) and HOBt (0.085 g, 0.63 mmol). The mixture stirred for 18 hours at ambient temperature and was diluted with H₂O (10 mL). The aqueous mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3×10 mL) and the combined organic extracts were washed with brine (10 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Isco CombiFlash Companion unit, 12 g Redisep column, 0% to 100% EtOAc in hexanes) to provide tert-butyl 3-(4-fluoro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine-5(4H)-carboxylate as a white solid (0.121 g, 54%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.82-7.79 (m, 1H), 7.56-7.40 (m, 3H), 4.77 (br s, 1H), 4.62 (s, 2H), 3.74-3.12 (m, 6H), 2.82-2.78 (m, 2H), 2.33-2.18 (m, 4H), 1.48 (s, 9H); ESI MS m/z 497 [M+H]⁺.

Step E: To a solution of tert-butyl 3-(4-fluoro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine-5(4H)-carboxylate (0.121 g, 0.24 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (3 mL) was added a solution of 2 M HCl in Et₂O (1.2 mL) and the mixture was stirred for 7 hours at ambient temperature. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was triturated with hexanes to provide (4-fluoro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)methanone hydrochloride as a white solid (0.076 g, 73%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.31 (br s, 1H), 9.19 (br s, 1H), 7.86-7.83 (m, 1H), 7.68-7.66 (m, 2H), 7.58-7.54 (m, 1H), 5.26-5.22 (m, 1H), 4.61-4.57 (m, 1H), 4.25 (s, 2H), 3.51-3.35 (m, 4H), 3.11-2.91 (m, 3H), 2.32-2.07 (m, 4H).

Step F: To a solution of (4-fluoro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)methanone hydrochloride (0.076 g, 0.19 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) and i-Pr₂NEt (0.08 mL, 0.46 mmol) was added acetyl chloride (0.014 mL, 0.20 mmol) and the reaction stirred for 18 hours at ambient temperature. The reaction was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in a solution of 7 M NH₃ in CH₃OH (4 mL). The mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 30 minutes and was concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Isco CombiFlash Companion unit, 12 g Redisep column, 0% to 100% (90:10:0.01 CH₂Cl₂, CH₃OH, NH₄OH in CH₂Cl₂) and dried in at 60° C. under vacuum to provide 1-(3-(4-fluoro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)ethanone as a white solid (0.031 g, 39%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.04-13.00 (m, 1H), 7.85-7.82 (m, 1H), 7.69-7.53 (m, 3H), 5.20-5.12 (m, 1H), 4.59-4.48 (m, 3H), 3.82-3.62 (m, 2H), 3.46-3.37 (m, 1H), 3.08-3.02 (m, 1H), 2.83-2.59 (m, 2H), 2.27-2.06 (m, 7H); ESI MS m/z 439 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 23 Preparation of (6-Fluoro-1-isopropyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: To a solution of (6-fluoro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.05 g, 0.13 mmol) and iodopropane (0.020 mL, 0.19 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) was added K₂CO₃ (0.044 g, 0.32 mmol). The mixture stirred for 4 hours at ambient temperature and was then diluted with H₂O (5 mL). The aqueous mixture was extracted with EtOAc (5 mL) and the organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Parallex Flex unit, YMC-Pack ODS-A column, 5% to 95% CH₃CN in H₂O) to give (6-fluoro-1-isopropyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoro-methyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.032 g, 58%): mp=50-53° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃)) δ 7.85 (dd, J=2.4 Hz, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (dd, J=4.0 Hz, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (dt, J=2.5 Hz, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 5.09 (br s, 2H), 4.89-4.80 (m, 1H), 3.32-2.94 (m, 3H), 1.93-1.81 (m, 4H), 1.59 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 6H); MS (APCI+) m/z 434 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 24 Preparation of (1-Ethyl-6-fluoro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: To a solution of (6-fluoro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.05 g, 0.13 mmol) and iodoethane (0.015 mL, 0.19 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) was added K₂CO₃ (0.044 g, 0.32 mmol). The mixture stirred for 4 hours at ambient temperature and was then diluted with H₂O (5 mL). The aqueous mixture was extracted with EtOAc (5 mL) and the organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Parallex Flex unit, YMC-Pack ODS-A column, 5% to 95% CH₃CN in H₂O) to give (1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.020 g, 37%): mp=44-46° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.83 (dd, J=2.4 Hz, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (dd, J=4.0 Hz, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (dt, J=2.4 Hz, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 5.07 (d, J=47.2 Hz, 2H), 4.44 (q, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 3.38-3.24 (m, 2H), 2.93 (br s, 1H), 1.99-1.81 (m, 4H), 1.54 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 3H); MS (APCI+) m/z 420 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 25 Preparation of (6-Fluoro-1-(oxetan-3-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: To a solution of (6-fluoro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.075 g, 0.19 mmol) and 3-iodooxetane (0.025 mL, 0.29 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) was added K₂CO₃ (0.066 g, 0.48 mmol). The mixture stirred for 24 h at ambient temperature and 3-idooxetane (0.015 mL, 0.19 mmol) was added and stirred at 60° C. for 24 hours. The mixture was diluted with H₂O (5 mL). The aqueous mixture was extracted with EtOAc (5 mL) and the organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Parallex Flex unit, YMC-Pack ODS-A column, 5% to 95% CH₃CN in H₂O) to give (6-fluoro-1-(oxetan-3-yl)-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.023 g, 27%): mp=70-73° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃)) δ 7.86 (dd, J=2.2 Hz, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.54-7.45 (m, 3H), 7.32 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (dd, J=2.5 Hz, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 5.82-5.76 (m, 1H), 5.25 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 5.16-5.11 (m, 3H), 5.02 (d, J=12.1 Hz, 1H), 3.34-3.27 (m, 2H), 2.97-2.94 (m, 1H), 2.05-1.81 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 448 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 26 Preparation of (4,5,6,7-Tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: To a solution of tert-butyl 3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine-5(4H)-carboxylate (0.600 g, 1.25 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) was added TEA (2 mL). The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and further co-evaporated with CH₂Cl₂ (3×10 mL) and CH₃CN (3×10 mL). The resulting residue was suspended in CH₂OH (50 mL) and 1N HCl (10 mL) was then added. The resulting solution was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue obtained was again suspended in CH₂OH (50 mL) and 1N HCl (10 mL) was then added. The resulting solution was concentrated under reduced pressure and the solid obtained was triturated with CH₃OH/CH₃CN to give (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (12, 0.332 g, 59%): mp=270-272° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.26 (s, 1H), 9.18 (s, 2H), 7.69 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (s, 2H), 7.44-7.40 (m, 1H), 5.28 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 1H), 4.68 (d, J=11.4 Hz, 1H), 4.24 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 2H), 3.38 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.20-3.11 (m, 2H), 2.95 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 2.82 (t, J=12.4 Hz, 1H), 1.85-1.63 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 379 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 27 Preparation of 1-(3-(4-(2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)ethanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-B, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and acetyl chloride were converted to 1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)ethanone as a white solid (0.031 g, 66%): mp=208-211° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ12.96 (d, J=20.8 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.66-7.62 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 1H), 5.22 (d, J=38.7 Hz, 1H), 4.75-4.46 (m, 3H), 3.82-3.61 (m, 2H), 3.20-3.11 (m, 2H), 2.78 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 2H), 2.66 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 1H), 2.08 (d, J=12.7 Hz, 3H), 1.83-1.68 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 421 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 28 Preparation of (5-(Methylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-C, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and methane sulfonyl chloride were converted to (5-(methylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.040 g, 79%): mp=240-243° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.03 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.66-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.45-7.39 (m, 1H), 5.26 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 4.69 (d, J=10.6 Hz, 1H), 4.42-4.21 (m, 2H), 3.51-3.44 (m, 2H), 3.19-3.11 (m, 2H), 2.94 (s, 3H), 2.86-2.79 (m, 3H), 1.86-1.63 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 457 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 29 Preparation of ((6-Chloro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl]methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A1, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 6-chloro-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (6-chloro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.034 g, 22%): mp=221-223° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.64 (s, 1H), 8.02 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.72-7.60 (m, 4H), 7.42 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (dd, J=1.7 Hz, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 4.94 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 1H), 4.79 (d, J=12.1 Hz, 1H), 3.32-3.11 (m, 2H), 2.91 (t, J=9.6 Hz, 1H), 1.89-1.70 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 408 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 30 Preparation of (1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A1, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.058 g, 41%): mp=202-205° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.92 (s, 1H), 9.33 (s, 1H), 8.42 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 1H), 7.75-7.60 (m, 4H), 7.43 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 4.96 (d, J=13.2 Hz, 1H), 4.80 (d, J=12.9 Hz, 1H), 3.29-3.14 (m, 2H), 3.01-2.89 (m, 1H), 1.89-1.73 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 375 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 31 Preparation of (5-Chloro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A1, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 5-chloro-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (5-chloro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a light pink solid (0.054 g, 35%): mp=210-212° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.73 (s, 1H), 8.05 (s, 1H), 7.75-7.62 (m, 4H), 7.48-7.39 (m, 2H), 5.03 (d, J=12.8 Hz, 1H), 4.79 (d, J=11.8 Hz, 1H), 3.29-3.17 (m, 2H), 2.99-2.87 (m, 1H), 1.81 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 408 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 32 Preparation of (5-Methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A1, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 5-methoxy-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (5-methoxy-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.078 g, 51%): mp=168-170° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.75 (s, 1H), 7.69-7.62 (m, 3H), 7.42 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 1H), 7.34 (d, J=2.9 Hz, 1H), 7.28 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.22 (dd, J=2.9 Hz, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 4.24 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 2H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.09 (t, J=11.4 Hz, 1H), 2.94 (t, J=11.8 Hz, 2H), 1.86-1.68 (m, 4H) MS (APCI+) m/z 404 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 33 Preparation of Benzo[c]isoxazol-3-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A1, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 3-carboxy-2, 1-benzisoxazole were converted to benzo[c]isoxazol-3-yl(4-(2-(trifluoroethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.093 g, 66%): mp=106-108° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 7.86 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (t, J=9.1 Hz, 2H), 7.70-7.63 (m, 2H), 7.52-7.48 (m, 1H), 7.43 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.28-7.24 (m, 1H), 4.74-4.65 (m, 1H), 4.27-4.18 (m, 1H), 3.50-3.38 (m, 1H), 3.24-3.17 (m, 1H), 3.09-3.00 (m, 1H), 1.98-1.75 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 375 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 34 Preparation of (5,6-Difluoro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A1, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 5,6-difluoro-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (5,6-difluoro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.074 g, 48%): mp=233-235° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.72 (s, 1H), 7.96-7.91 (m, 1H), 7.74-7.67 (m, 3H), 7.66-7.60 (m, 1H), 7.44-7.39 (m, 1H), 5.02 (d, J=12.1 Hz, 1H), 4.78 (d, J=11.1 Hz, 1H), 3.29-3.17 (m, 2H), 2.91 (t, J=12.0 Hz, 1H), 1.86-1.74 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 410 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 35 Preparation of (7-Chloro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A1, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 7-chloro-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (7-chloro-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.100 g, 65%): mp=192-195° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 14.03 (s, 1H), 7.98 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.64 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 4.87 (d, J=13.0 Hz, 1H), 4.79 (d, J=12.7 Hz, 1H), 3.29-3.16 (m, 2H), 3.03-2.83 (m, 1H), 1.89-1.70 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 408 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 36 Preparation of 3-(4-(2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-1H-indazole-5-carbonitrile

Step A: To a solution of (5-bromo-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.100 g, 0.22 mmol) and CuCN (0.040 g, 0.44 mmol) was added NMP (1 mL). The mixture stirred for 48 hours at 160° C. and was then diluted with 6 N HCl (3 mL) and stirred at ambient temperature for 10 minutes. The mixture was then diluted with H₂O (10 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) and the organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Isco CombiFlash Companion unit, 12 g Redisep column, 0% to 20% EtOAc in hexanes) then purified by preparative TLC (0% to 3% EtOAc in hexanes) to give 3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-1H-indazole-5-carbonitrile as a white solid (0.019 g, 22%): mp=249-252° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 14.01 (s, 1H), 8.52 (s, 1H), 7.81 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.64 (t, J+7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 4.92 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 1H), 4.79 (d, J=11.5 Hz, 1H), 3.25-3.17 (m, 2H), 3.03-2.91 (m, 1H), 1.87-1.72 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 399 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 37 Preparation of (5-(Ethylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-C, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and ethane sulfonyl chloride were converted to (5-(ethylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.038 g, 48%): mp=187-189° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.03 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.66-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 1H), 5.27 (d, J=11.8 Hz, 1H), 4.68 (d, J=11.6 Hz, 1H), 4.48-4.33 (m, 2H), 3.59-3.47 (m, 2H), 3.20-3.08 (m, 4H), 2.88-2.74 (m, 3H), 1.82-1.63 (m, 4H), 1.21 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H); MS (APCI+) m/z 471 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 38 Preparation of (5-(Isobutylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-C, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and isobutane sulfonyl chloride were converted to (5-(isobutylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.047 g, 57%): mp=178-180° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.03 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.64-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.44-7.38 (m, 1H), 5.26 (d, J=11.8 Hz, 1H), 4.68 (d, J=11.3 Hz, 1H), 4.45-4.30 (m, 2H), 3.56-3.43 (m, 2H), 3.21-3.12 (m, 2H), 2.98 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 2.80 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 3H), 2.17-2.06 (m, 1H), 1.82-1.63 (m, 4H), 1.04 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 6H); MS (APCI+) m/z 499 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 39 Preparation of (5-(Isopropylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-C, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and isopropyl sulfonyl chloride were converted to (5-(isopropylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as an off-white solid (0.022 g, 27%): mp=199-201° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.02 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.66-7.59 (m, 2H), 7.44-7.38 (m, 1H), 5.28 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 1H), 4.68 (d, J=9.6 Hz, 1H), 4.53-4.36 (m, 2H), 3.62-3.56 (m, 2H), 3.42-3.36 (m, 1H), 3.11-3.08 (m, 2H), 2.83-2.74 (m, 3H), 1.87-1.63 (m, 4H), 1.23 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 6H); MS (APCI+) m/z 485 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 40 Preparation of 2,2-Dimethyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)propan-1-one

Step A: Following general procedure GP-8, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and pivaloyl chloride were converted to 2,2-dimethyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)propan-1-one as a white solid (11, 0.065 g, 85%): mp=126-128° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.95 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=3.3 Hz, 2H), 7.44-7.39 (m, 1H), 5.24 (d, J=9.5 Hz, 1H), 4.78-4.57 (m, 3H), 3.82-3.74 (m, 2H), 3.19-3.10 (m, 2H), 2.88-2.74 (m, 1H), 2.71 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 2H), 1.83-1.67 (m, 4H), 1.22 (s, 9H); MS (APCI+) m/z 463 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 41 Preparation of 2-Methyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)propan-1-one

Step A: Following general procedure GP-C, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and isobutyryl chloride were converted to 2-methyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)propan-1-one as a white solid (0.053 g, 71%): mp=112-114° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.96 (d, J=17.3 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 2H), 7.41 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 5.21 (d, J=37.7 Hz, 1H), 4.72-4.50 (m, 3H), 3.79-3.68 (m, 2H), 3.21-3.11 (m, 2H), 2.99-2.88 (m, 1H), 2.87-2.65 (m, 2H), 2.68-2.60 (m, 1H), 1.84-1.67 (m, 4H), 1.02 (dd, J=6.7 Hz, J=17.9 Hz, 6H); MS (APCI+) m/z 449 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 42 Preparation of 3-Methyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)butan-1-one

Step A: Following general procedure GP-C, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and isovaleryl chloride were converted to 3-methyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)butan-1-one as a white solid (0.054 g, 70%): mp=107-109° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.95 (d, J=19.2 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.64-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.41 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 5.26-5.15 (m, 1H), 4.71-4.53 (m, 3H), 3.75-3.66 (m, 2H), 3.17-3.12 (m, 2H), 2.88-2.73 (m, 2H), 2.70-2.61 (m, 1H), 2.27 (dd, J=6.9 Hz, J=19.9 Hz, 2H), 2.09-1.93 (m, 1H), 1.82-1.66 (m, 4H), 0.90 (dd, J=6.7 Hz, J=9.7 Hz, 6H); MS (APCI+) m/z 463 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 43 Preparation of (5-Ethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-D, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and acetaldehyde were converted to (5-ethyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.018 g, 41%): mp=159-162° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.76 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=3.9 Hz, 2H), 7.45-7.39 (m, 1H), 5.08 (d, J=10.7 Hz, 1H), 4.67 (d, J=11.3 Hz, 1H), 3.55-3.41 (m, 2H), 3.17-3.09 (m, 2H), 2.80-2.75 (m, 1H), 2.73-2.62 (m, 4H), 2.55-2.53 (m, 2H), 1.80-1.66 (m, 4H), 1.07 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); MS (APCI+) m/z 407 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 44 Preparation of 1-(3-(4-(2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)propan-1-one

Step A: Following general procedure GP-B, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and propionyl chloride were converted to 1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)propan-1-one as a white solid (0.053 O, 73%): mp=153-155° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.95 (d, J=20.2 Hz, 1H), 7.73-7.64 (m, 3H), 7.48-7.37 (m, 1H), 5.32-5.14 (m, 1H), 4.71-4.53 (m, 3H), 3.76-3.67 (m, 2H), 3.21-3.14 (m, 2H), 2.89-2.61 (m, 3H), 2.46-2.35 (m, 2H), 1.88-1.67 (m, 4H), 1.05-0.98 (m, 3H); MS (APCI+) m/z 435 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 45 Preparation of (5-Isobutyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-D, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and isobutyraldehyde were converted to (5-isobutyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.068 g, 71%): mp=105-107° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.77 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.63-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.39 (m, 1H), 5.12-5.08 (m, 1H), 4.69-4.65 (m, 1H), 3.51-3.44 (m, 2H), 3.19-3.10 (m, 2H), 2.83-2.72 (m, 1H), 2.70-2.61 (m, 4H), 2.24 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.89-1.63 (m, 5H), 0.88 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 6H); MS (APCI+) m/z 435 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 46 Preparation of (5-(Oxetan-3-yl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-C, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and 3-oxetanone were converted to (5-(oxetan-3-yl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.023 g, 24%): mp=107-110° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ12.82 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.64-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 1H), 5.18-5.09 (m, 1H), 4.70-4.58 (m, 3H), 4.53-4.46 (m, 2H), 3.71-3.64 (m, 1H), 3.45-3.34 (m, 2H), 3.28 (s, 2H), 3.18-3.07 (m, 2H), 2.84-2.68 (m, 3H), 1.80-1.63 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 435 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 47 Preparation of 3,3,3-Trifluoro-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)propan-1-one

Step A: Following general procedure GP-B, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and 3,3,3-trifluoropropanoyl chloride were converted to 3,3,3-trifluoro-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)propan-1-one as a white solid (0.020 g, 23%): mp=127-130° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.98 (d, J=15.7 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.66-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.42-7.38 (m, 1H), 5.28-5.15 (m, 1H), 4.73-4.52 (m, 3H), 3.89-3.65 (m, 4H), 3.20-3.11 (m, 2H), 2.85-2.63 (m, 3H), 1.85-1.67 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 489 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 48 Preparation of 2-Methoxy-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)ethanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-C, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and 2-methoxyacetyl chloride were converted to 2-methoxy-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)ethanone as a white solid (0.029 g, 35%): mp=192-194° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.97 (d, J=13.7 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.64-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.44-7.38 (m, 1H), 5.39-5.14 (m, 1H), 4.75-4.48 (m, 3H), 4.16 (d, J=17.1 Hz, 2H), 3.81-3.59 (m, 2H), 3.32-3.28 (m, 3H), 3.24-3.10 (m, 2H), 2.88-2.65 (m, 3H), 1.83-1.65 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 451 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 49 Preparation of 1-(3-(4-(2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-6(7H)-yl)propan-1-one

Step A: Following general procedure GP-E, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and propionyl chloride were converted to 1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-6(7H)-yl)propan-1-one as a white solid (0.019 g, 40%): mp=162-164° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.95 (d, J=20.4 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.65-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.44-7.38 (m, 1H), 5.31-5.13 (m, 1H), 4.76-4.49 (m, 3H), 3.78-3.64 (m, 2H), 3.19-3.11 (m, 2H), 2.85-2.75 (m, 24), 2.68-2.62 (m, 1H), 2.45-2.34 (m, 2H), 1.83-1.65 (m, 4H), 1.01 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 3H); MS (APCI+) m/z 435 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 50 Preparation of (6-(Ethylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-F, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and ethane sulfonyl chloride were converted to (6-(ethylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.036 g, 69%): op=209-211° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.03 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.64-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.44-7.40 (m, 1H), 5.27 (d, J=11.5 Hz, 1H), 4.68 (d, J=11.6 Hz, 1H), 4.43-4,34 (m, 2H), 3.54-3.50 (m, 2H), 3.19-3.09 (m, 4H), 2.79 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 3H), 1.80-1.62 (m, 4H), 1.21 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H); MS (APCI+) m/z 471 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 51 Preparation of (6-(Isopropylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-F, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and isopropyl sulfonyl chloride were converted to (6-(isopropylsulfonyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.014 g, 26%) mp=220-222° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.02 (s, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.64-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.44-7.39 (m, 1H), 5.33-5.22 (m, 1H), 4.71-4.64 (m, 1H), 4.55-4.38 (m, 2H), 3.62-3.56 (m, 2H), 3.46-3.38 (m, 1H), 3.19-3.11 (m, 2H), 2.83-2.74 (m, 3H), 1.82-1.64 (m, 4H), 1.23 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 6H); MS (APCI+) m/z 485 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 52 Preparation of 2-Methyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-6(7H)-yl)propan-1-one

Step A: Following general procedure GP-E, (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone and isobutyryl chloride were converted to 2-methyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-6(7H)-yl)propan-1-one as a white solid (0.045 g, 91%): mp=200-203° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.96 (d, J=17.2 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.64-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 1H), 5.28-5.13 (m, 1H), 4.77-4.48 (m, 3H), 3.80-3.69 (m, 2H), 3.19-3.10 (m, 2H), 2.98-2.88 (m, 1H), 2.83-2.73 (m, 2H), 2.70-2.62 (m, 1H), 1.82-1.68 (m, 4H), 1.02 (dd, J=6.7 Hz, J=11.2 Hz, 6H); MS (APCI+) m/z 449 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 53 Preparation of 1-(3-(4-(2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-5(1H,4H,6H)-yl)propan-1-one

Step A: Following general procedure GP-H, (1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (14) and propionyl chloride were converted to 1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-5(1H,4H,6H)-yl)propan-1-one as a white solid (0.067 g, 93%): mp=216-219° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.26 (d, J=92.8 Hz, 1H), 7.73-7.62 (m, 3H), 7.45-7.40 (m, 1H), 4.71-4.40 (m, 5H), 3.31 (s, 2H), 3.25-2.78 (m, 2H), 2.39-2.33 (m, 2H), 1.86-1.67 (m, 4H), 1.03 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H); MS (APCI+) m/z 421 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 54 Preparation of 2-Methyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-5(1H,4H,6H-yl)propan-1-one

Step A: Following general procedure GP-H, (1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (14) and isobutyryl chloride were converted to 2-methyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-5(1H,4H,6H)-yl)propan-1-one as a white solid (0.070 g, 93%): mp=192-195° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.26 (d, J=95.0 Hz, 1H), 7.73-7.61 (m, 3H), 7.45-7.39 (m, 1H), 4.79-4.40 (m, 5H), 3.31 (s, 2H), 3.17-2.70 (m, 3H), 1.82-1.67 (m, 4H), 1.08-1.03 (m, 6H); MS (APCI+) m/z 435 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 55 Preparation of 3-Methyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-5(1H,4H,6H)-yl)butan-1-one

Step A: Following general procedure GP-H, (1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (14) and isovaleryl chloride were converted to 3-methyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-5(1H,4H,6H)-yl)butan-1-one as a white solid (0.065 g, 84%): mp=200-203° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.26 (d, J=94.4 Hz, 1H), 7.75-7.60 (m, 3H), 7.46-7.39 (m, 1H), 4.72-4.41 (m, 5H), 3.31 (s, 2H), 3.17-2.80 (m, 2H), 2.24-2.20 (m, 2H), 2.12-2.04 (m, 1H), 1.81-1.67 (m, 4H), 0.94 (d, J=13.2 Hz, 6H); MS (APCI+) m/z 449 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 56 Preparation of 2,2-Dimethyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-5(1H,4H,6H)-yl)propan-1-one

Step A: Following general procedure GP-H, (1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) piperidin-1-yl)methanone (14) and pivaloyl chloride were converted to 2,2-dimethyl-1-(3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) piperidine-1-carbonyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazol-5(1H,4H,6H)-yl)propan-1-one as a white solid (0.068 g, 88%): mp=229-232° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.24 (d, J=100.5 Hz, 1H), 7.71-7.59 (m, 3H), 7.46-7.39 (m, 1H), 5.26-4.55 (m, 5H), 3.31 (s, 2H), 3.17-2.74 (m, 2H), 1.80-1.68 (m, 4H), 1.24 (s, 9H); MS (APCI+) m/z 449 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 57 Preparation of (1-Methyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A1, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 1-methyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (1-methyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.087 g, 52%): ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.14 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (m, 1H), 7.51 (m, 1H), 7.43 (m, 3H), 7.28 (m, 2H), 5.02 (m, 2H), 4.11 (s, 3H), 3.27 (m, 2H), 2.92 (m, 1H), 1.85 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 388 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 58 Preparation of (1H-Indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A1, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (1H-indazol-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.114 g, 70%): mp=175-177° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃)) δ 10.26 (bs, 1H), 8.16 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (m, 1H), 7.52 (m, 2H), 7.43 (m, 2H), 7.28 (m, 2H), 5.00 (m, 2H), 3.28 (m, 2H), 2.98 (m, 1H), 1.85 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 374 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 59 Preparation of Benzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A1, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and benzo[d]isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid were converted to benzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.102 g, 63%): ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.94 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (m, 2H), 7.52 (m, 1H), 7.45 (m, 1H), 7.37 (m, 2H), 4.14 (m, 1H), 4.92 (m, 1H), 4.66 (m, 1H), 3.36 (m, 2H), 2.98 (m, 1H), 1.99 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 375 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 60 Preparation of (6-Methylimidazo[1,2-b]-pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and ethyl 6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine-2-carboxylate (0.743 g, 3.76 mmol), were combined to give (6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as an off-white solid (1.35 g, 87%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.40 (s, 1H), 7.91 (m, 1H), 7.65 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.52-7.43 (m, 2H), 7.31 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 1H), 7.13 (d, J=9.5 Hz, 1H), 5.30-5.23 (m, 1H), 4.96-4.91 (m, 1H), 3.30-3.24 (m, 2H), 2.90 (m, 1H), 1.96-1.83 (m, 4H) MS (ESI+) m/z 409 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: A mixture of (6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.030 g, 0.0734 mmol), trimethyl boroxine (0.014 g, 0.110 mmol), DPPF (0.006 g, 0.00734 mmol), K₂CO₃ (0.020 g, 0.147 mmol), 1,4-dioxane (2 mL) and H₂O (0.3 mL) was heated in sealed tube under an atmosphere of N₂ at 110° C. for 5 hours. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, diluted with EtOAc, and solids were filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-3% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂) to give (6-methylimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) piperidin-1-yl)methanone as an off-white solid (0.015 g, 52%): mp 144-147° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.35 (s, 1H), 7.82 (d, J=9.4 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.53-7.44 (m, 2H), 7.30 (m, 1H), 6.96 (d, J=9.4 Hz, 1H), 5.30 (m, 1H), 4.94 (m, 1H), 3.26 (m, 2H), 2.93 (m, 1H), 2.59 (s, 3H), 1.89-1.77 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 489 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 61 Preparation of (6-Morpholinoimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone BPN-0004342-AA-001

Step A: A mixture of (6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.030 g, 0.0734 mmol) and morpholine (1.5 mL) was heated at 120° C. for 2 hours. The mixture cooled to ambient temperature and was concentrated under reduced pressure. The material was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and the solution was washed with aqueous, saturated NaHCO₃ solution, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-100% EtOAc in hexanes) to give (6-morpholinoimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.015 g, 44%): mp 203-205° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.17 (s, 1H), 7.71 (d, J=10.0 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.53-7.43 (m, 2H), 7.30 (m, 1H), 6.96 (d, J=10.0 Hz, 1H), 5.38 (m, 1H), 4.93 (m, 1H), 3.85 (m, 4H), 3.50 (m, 4H), 3.24 (m, 2H), 2.88 (m, 1H), 1.88-1.76 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 460 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 62 Preparation of (6-Methoxyimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: To a solution of (6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.060 g, 0.147 mmol) in CH₃OH (6 mL) was added a solution of NaOCH₃ in CH₃OH (0.5 M, 2.94 mL, 1.47 mmol). The mixture was heated 70° C. for 1 h, cooled to ambient temperature and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and the solution was washed with saturated NaHCO₃, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-70% EtOAc in hexanes) and freeze dried to give (6-methoxyimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.015 g, 25%): mp 120-123° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.24 (s, 1H), 7.76 (d, J=9.6 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.49 (m, 2H), 7.30 (m, 1H), 6.74 (d, J=9.6 Hz, 1H), 5.38 (m, 1H), 4.93 (m, 1H), 4.00 (s, 3H), 3.25 (m, 2H), 2.88 (m, 1H), 1.89-1.77 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 405 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 63 Preparation of (6-Cyclopropylimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: A mixture of (6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.050 g, 0.122 mmol), potassium cyclopropyltrifluoroborate (0.026 g, 0.183 mmol), Pd(OAc)₂ (0.002 g, 0.0061 mmol), di-(1-admantyl)-n-butylphosphine (0.004 g, 0.0122 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (0.119 g, 0.366 mmol) in toluene (2 mL) and H₂O (0.2 mL) was heated at 100° C. for 3 hours. The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and the resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-60% EtOAc in hexanes) to give (6-cyclopropylimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.035 g, 69%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.30 (s, 1H), 7.78 (m, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.54-7.44 (m, 2H), 7.30 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (d, J=9.6 Hz, 1H), 5.30 (m, 1H), 4.94 (m, 1H), 3.27 (m, 2H), 2.69 (m, 1H), 2.12-1.81 (m, 5H), 1.14-1.08 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 415 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 64 Preparation of (6-(Pyrrolidin-1-yl)imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: A mixture of (6-chloroimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.030 g, 0.0734 mmol) and morpholine (1.5 mL) was heated at 100° C. for 3 hours. The mixture cooled to ambient temperature and was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-70% EtOAc in hexanes) to give (6-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl) methanone as an off-white solid (0.046 g, 85%): mp 170-171° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.15 (s, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.53-7.44 (m, 2H), 7.30 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.66 (d, J=9.9 Hz, 1H), 5.42 (m, 1H), 4.93 (m, 1H), 3.50 (m, 4H), 3.24 (m, 2H), 2.87 (m, 1H), 2.07-1.80 (m, 8H); MS (ESI+) m/z 444 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 65 Preparation of (1H-Pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid were converted to (1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl) methanone as a white solid (0.110 g, 67%): mp 214-218° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.99 (s, 1H), 8.90 (s, 1H), 8.22 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 1H), 7.72-7.68 (m, 2H), 7.67-7.63 (m, 1H), 7.46-7.40 (m, 1H), 7.38 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 6.98 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 4.73-4.44 (m, 2H), 3.08-2.77 (m, 34), 1.93-1.74 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 374 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 66 Preparation of (1H-Pyrrolo(3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid were converted to (1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl) methanone as a white solid (0.125 g, 77%): mp 275-278° C. decomp.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.81 (s, 1H), 8.39 (dd, J=6.0, 1.5 Hz, 14), 7.79 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.73-7.63 (m, 34), 7.46-7.41 (m, 1H), 7.19 (dd, J=8.5, 4.5 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 4.73-4.42 (m, 2H), 3.28-2.81 (m, 3H), 1.92-1.76 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 374 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 67 Preparation of (1H-Indol-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid were converted to (1H-indol-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.127 g, 68%): mp 189-192° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.56 (s, 1H), 7.71-7.68 (m, 2H), 7.67-7.63 (m, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.45-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.20-7.16 (m, 1H), 7.06-7.02 (m, 1H), 6.82 (dd, J=2.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 4.63 (d, J=12.5 Hz, 2H), 3.23-2.94 (m, 3H), 1.88-1.75 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 373 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 68 Preparation of (1H-Benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-carboxylic acid were converted to (1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.121 g, 67%): mp 178-185° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.11 (s, 1H), 7.74 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.71-7.60 (m, 3H), 7.55 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.45-7.38 (m, 1H), 7.35-7.29 (m, 1H), 7.28-7.22 (m, 1H), 5.83-5.77 (m, 1H), 4.79-4.73 (m, 1H), 3.35-3.27 (m, 1H), 3.25-3.16 (m, 1H), 3.00-2.90 (m, 1H), 1.95-1.71 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 374 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 69 Preparation of Imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine-2-carboxylic acid were converted to imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-2-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl) methanone as a white solid (0.082 mg, 50%): mp 133-135° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.61-8.58 (m, 2H), 8.21-8.18 (m, 1H), 7.70-7.60 (m, 3H), 7.44-7.39 (m, 1H), 7.33-7.29 (m, 1H), 5.15-5.06 (m, 1H), 4.77-4.67 (m, 1H), 3.28-3.12 (m, 2H), 2.93-2.81 (m, 1H), 1.90-1.67 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 375 [M+H]⁺; HPLC>99% purity (Method F).

EXAMPLE 70 Preparation of (6-Methyl-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 6-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid were converted to (6-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.048 g, 21%): mp 254-258° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.66 (br s, 1H), 8.26 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.72-7.68 (m, 2H), 7.67-7.62 (m, 1H), 7.58 (s, 1H), 7.45-7.40 (m, 1H), 6.88 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 4.69-4.52 (m, 2H), 3.31-2.98 (m, 3H), 2.41 (s, 3H), 1.19-1.78 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 388 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 71 Preparation of (1H-Imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid were converted to (1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl) methanone as a white solid (0.037 g, 39%): mp 249-251° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.72 (br s, 0.5H), 13.38 (br s, 0.5H), 8.51-8.42 (m, 1H), 8.18 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 0.5H), 7.96 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 0.5H), 7.71-7.60 (m, 3H), 7.45-7.40 (m, 1H), 7.37-7.30 (m, 1H), 5.71-5.64 (m, 0.5H), 5.36-5.29 (m, 0.5H), 4.78-4.70 (m, 1H), 3.38-3.27 (m, 1H), 3.27-3.16 (m, 1H), 3.03-2.93 (m, 1H), 1.98-1.70 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 375 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 72 Preparation of (6-Fluoro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: A solution of 2-bromo-5-fluoropyridin-3-amine (0.670 g, 3.51 mmol) in DHF (6.0 mL) was deoxygenated with argon gas for 20 minutes. To the solution was added Et₃N (1.97 mL, 14.0 mmol) and pyruvic acid (0.73 mL, 10.5 mmol) and the resulting mixture was deoxygenated with argon gas for 10 minutes. Pd(OAc)₂ (0.157 g, 0.702 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture heated to 110° C. under argon atmosphere for 18 hours. The reaction was concentrated under reduced pressure and the obtained residue was triturated with CH₃OH (100 mL). The obtained solids were diluted in H₂O (30 mL) and 1 N HCl added until a neutral pH was achieved. The resulting solution was extracted with EtOAc (4×30 mL) the combined organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure to yield 6-fluoro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid as an off-white solid (0.030 g, 5%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.37 (s, 1H), 12.15 (s, 1H), 8.46 (dd, J=2.7, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.64-7.59 (m, 1H), 7.19-7.17 (m, 1H); ESI MS m/z 181 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 6-fluoro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid were converted to (6-fluoro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.033 g, 54%): sip 250-252° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.94 (s, 1H), 8.41 (dd, J=2.5, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.74-7.61 (m, 4H), 7.46-7.41 (m, 1H), 6.98 (d, J 1.5 Hz, 1H), 4.72-4.42 (m, 2H), 3.33-3.13 (m, 3H), 1.93-1.74 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 392 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 73 Preparation of (5-Methoxy-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 5-methoxy-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid were converted to (5-methoxy-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.072 g, 63%) as a white solid: nip 203-205° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.68 (s, 1H), 7.74-7.67 (m, 3H), 7.67-7.62 (m, 1H), 7.45-7.40 (m, 1H), 6.81 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 6.67 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 4.64-4.56 (m, 2H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.25-2.91 (m, 3H), 1.91-1.75 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 404 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 74 Preparation of (1-Methyl-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: To a solution of (1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.035 g, 0.094 mmol) in DMF (0.5 mL) was added sodium hydride (60% in mineral oil, 0.006 g, 0.14 mmol) and the resulting solution stirred at ambient temperature for 45 minutes. To the solution was added iodomethane (0.09 mL, 0.14 mmol) and the resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 3 hours. The reaction was carefully quenched with H₂O (20 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (3×30 mL). The combined organics were washed with brine (3×10 mL) and 5% aqueous LiCl (2×10 mL), filtered, and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Isco CombiFlash Rf unit, 12 g Redisep column, 0% to 3% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂ with 0.01% NH₄OH) followed by preparative HPLC (Phenomenex Luna C18 (2), 250.0×50.0 mm, 15 micron, H₂O with 0.05% TFA and CH₃CN with 0.05% TFA) to provide (1-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl) methanone as a white solid (0.006 g, 17%): mp 159-163° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CH₃OD-d₄) δ 8.30 (dd, J=5.0, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.89 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.58-7.49 (m, 3H), 7.31-7.26 (m, 1H), 7.23-7.20 (m, 1H), 6.74 (d, J=0.5 Hz, 1H), 4.85-4.76 (m, 1H), 4.17-4.03 (m, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.01-2.83 (m, 1H), 1.89-1.65 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 388 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 75 Preparation of (6-(1H-Imidazol-1-yl)-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 6-bromo-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid were converted to (6-bromo-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a yellow solid (1.66 g, 64%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ12.02 (s, 1H), 8.46 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 8.00 (dd, J=1.8, 0.6 Hz, 1H), 7.74-7.59 (m, 3H), 7.47-7.39 (m, 1H), 7.01-6.98 (m, 1H), 4.77-4.35 (m, 2H), 3.27-2.78 (m, 3H), 2.04-1.54 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 453 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: A solution of (6-bromo-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.150 g, 0.332 mmol) in DMSO (1.0 mL) was deoxygenated with argon gas for 15 minutes.

To the solution was added imidazole (0.225 g, 3.32 mmol) and Cs₂CO₃ (0.216 g, 0.664). The resulting mixture was deoxygenated with argon gas for 15 minutes. CuI (6.3 mg, 0.033 mmol) and trans-bis(1,2-methylamine)cyclohexane (60 □L, 0.38 mmol) were added and the reaction vessel was sealed and heated to 130° C. for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and diluted with 1:1 brine/conc. NH₄OH (15 mL). The solution was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (4×30 mL) the combined organic extracts were washed with 1:1 brine/conc. NH₄OH (4×30 mL) and concentrated. The obtained residue was purified by flash column chromatography (Isco CombiFlash Rf unit, 12 g Redisep column, 0% to 10% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂ with 0.01% NH₄OH) to provide (6-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl) methanone as an off-white solid (0.054 g, 36%): mp>270° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.11 (s, 1H), 8.71 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 8.28 (s, 1H), 7.95 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.80 (s, 1H), 7.75-7.64 (m, 3H), 7.46-7.41 (m, 1H), 7.15 (s, 1H), 7.03 (d. J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 4.76-4.36 (m, 2H), 3.24-2.85 (m, 3H), 1.97-1.71 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 440 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 76 Preparation of (6-Morpholino-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: A solution of (6-bromo-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.150 g, 0.332 mmol) in DMSO (1.5 mL) was deoxygenated with argon gas for 15 min. To the solution was added morpholine (0.29 mL, 3.3 mmol) and Cs₂CO₃ (0.216 g, 0.664). The resulting mixture was deoxygenated with argon gas for 15 minutes. CuI (6.3 mg, 0.033 mmol) and trans-bis(1,2-methylamine)cyclohexane (60 μL, 0.38 mmol) were added and the reaction vessel was sealed and heated to 130° C. for 18 hours. The reaction was cooled and deoxygenated with argon gas for 15 minutes. Additional morpholine (0.29 mL, 3.32 mmol) added and the mixture deoxygenated for 5 minutes. CuI (0.0315 g, 0.165 mmol) was added and the vessel sealed and heated to 130° C. for 48 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and diluted with 1:1 brine/conc. NH₄OH (15 mL). The solution was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×30 mL) the combined organic extracts were washed with 1:1 brine/conc. NH₄OH (5×30 mL) and concentrated under reduced pressure. The obtained residue was purified by flash column chromatography (Isco CombiFlash Rf unit, 24 g Redisep column, 0% to 6% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂ with 0.01% NH₄OH) to provide (6-morpholino-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as an off-white solid (0.007 g, 4%): mp 268-272° C. decomp.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 11.48-11.47 (m, 1H), 8.33 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.72-7.62 (m, 3H), 7.45-7.40 (m, 1H), 7.14 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 6.84 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 4.66-4.57 (m, 2H), 3.81-3.76 (m, 4H), 3.21-3.11 (m, 7H), 1.88-1.77 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 459 [M+H]⁺; HPLC 97.8% purity (Method F).

EXAMPLE 77 Preparation of (6-Chloro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 6-chloro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid were converted to (6-chloro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridin-2-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a light yellow solid (0.049 g, 23%): mp 258-261° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 12.00 (s, 1H), 8.40 (d, J=3.0 Hz, 1H), 7.86 (dd, J=2.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.73-7.63 (m, 3H), 7.45-7.42 (m, 1H), 6.99 (d, J=(0.5, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 4.74-4.39 (m, 2H), 3.23-2.85 (m, 3H), 1.96-1.72 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 408 [M+H]⁺; HPLC>99% purity (Method F).

EXAMPLE 78 Preparation of Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl-(4-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and benzo[d]thiazole-2-carboxylic acid were converted to benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.059 g, 35%): mp 151-153° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.22-8.13 (m, 2H), 7.71-7.57 (m, 5H), 7.44-7.41 (m, 1H), 5.40-5.37 (m, 1H), 4.71-4.68 (m, 1H), 3.99-3.21 (m, 2H), 3.01-3.03 (m, 1H), 1.92-1.83 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 391 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 79 Preparation of Benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and benzo[d]oxazole-2-carboxylic acid were converted to benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.018 g, 11%): ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 7.92-7.86 (m, 2H), 7.71-7.41 (m, 6H), 4.70-4.67 (m, 2H), 3.80-3.35 (m, 1N), 3.23-3.18 (m, 1H), 3.05-2.99 (m, 1H), 1.92-1.77 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 375 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 80 Preparation of Pyridazin-4-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and pyridazine-4-carboxylic acid were converted to pyridazin-4-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.054 g, 36%): mp 159-162° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 9.36 (br s, 2H); 7.82-7.65 (m, 3H), 7.45-7.41 (m, 1H), 4.67-4.64 (m, 1H), 3.53-3.51 (m, 1H), 3.28-3.21 (m, 1H), 3.13-3.09 (m, 1H), 2.93-2.87 (m, 1H), 1.91-1.60 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 336 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 81 Preparation of Imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-6-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine-6-carboxylic acid were converted to imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-6-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.068 g, 41%): mp 152-155° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.35 (s, 1H); 8.26 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.87 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.71-7.65 (m, 3H), 7.43-7.40 (m, 2H), 4.69-4.66 (m, 1H), 3.89-3.86 (m, 1H), 3.28-3.24 (m, 1H), 3.17-3.15 (m, 1H), 2.99-2.92 (m, 1H), 1.83-1.77 (m, 3H), 1.67-1.65 (m, 1H); ESI MS m/z 375 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 82 Preparation of Pyridazin-3-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid were converted to pyridazin-3-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as an off-white solid (0.060 g, 41%): mp 125-127° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 9.32-9.30 (m, 1H); 7.94-7.84 (m, 2H), 7.71-7.64 (m, 3H), 7.44-7.41 (m, 1H), 4.73-4.70 (m, 1H), 3.73-3.71 (m, 1H), 3.28-3.22 (m, 1H), 3.18-3.14 (m, 1H), 2.99-2.93 (m, 1H), 1.83-1.81 (m, 3H), 1.67-1.65 (m, 1H); ESI MS m/z 336 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 83 Preparation of (6-Chloropyridazin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 6-chloropyridazine-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (6-chloropyradazin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.035 g, 21%): mp 170-172° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.12-8.02 (m, 2H), 7.70-7.66 (m, 3H), 7.46-7.40 (m, 1H), 4.71-4.66 (m, 1H), 3.76-3.71 (m, 1H), 3.33-3.16 (m, 2H), 3.02-2.92 (m, 1H), 1.84-1.81 (m, 3H), 1.66-1.62 (m, 1H); ESI MS m/z 370 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 84 Preparation of (4-Methyl-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 4-methyl-1,2,3-thiadiazole-5-carboxylic acid were converted to (4-methyl-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as an off-white solid (0.111 g, 71%): mp 141-143° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 7.73-7.64 (m, 3H), 7.44-7.41 (m, 1H), 4.67-4.65 (m, 1H), 3.45-3.43 (m, 1H), 3.26-3.22 (m, 1H), 3.14-3.08 (m, 1H), 2.97-2.92 (m, 1H), 2.67 (s, 3H), 1.85-1.62 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 356 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 85 Preparation of (6-Methylpyridazin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 6-methylpyridazine-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (6-methylpyradazin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.052 g, 69%): mp 144-148° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 7.83-7.65 (m, 5H), 7.46-7.40 (m, 1H), 4.72-4.68 (m, 1H), 3.78-3.74 (m, 1H), 3.29-3.15 (m, 2H), 2.99-2.90 (m, 1H), 2.67 (s, 3H), 1.83-1.78 (m, 3H), 1.66-1.62 (m, 1H); ESI MS m/z 350 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 86 Preparation of (6-Methoxypyridazin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 6-methoxypyridazine-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (6-methoxypyradazin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as an off-white solid (0.047 g, 56%): mp 122-125° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 7.86-7.67 (m, 4H), 7.43-7.35 (m, 2H), 4.72-4.67 (m, 1H), 4.08 (s, 3H), 3.96-3.91 (m, 1H), 3.24-3.16 (m, 2H), 2.98-2.92 (m, 1H), 1.81-1.64 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 366 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 87 Preparation of Pyrazin-2-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid were converted to pyrazin-2-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.015 g, 19%): mp 109-111° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.91 (s, 1H), 8.76-8.70 (m, 2H), 7.71-7.65 (m, 3H), 7.45-7.42 (m, 1H), 4.71-4.66 (m, 1H), 3.81-3.76 (m, 1H), 3.28-3.15 (m, 2H), 2.98-2.88 (m, 1H), 1.83-1.62 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 336 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 88 Preparation of (1H-1,2,3-Triazol-5-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 1H-1,2,3 triazole-5-carboxylic acid were converted to 1H-1,2,3-triazole-5-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.019 g, 25%): mp 235-239° C. dec.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 15.48 (br s, 1H), 8.32 (br s, 1H), 7.70-7.60 (m, 3H), 7.44-7.39 (m, 1H), 4.73-4.66 (m, 2H), 3.26-3.22 (m, 2H), 2.90-2.82 (m, 1H), 1.85-1.62 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 325 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 89 Preparation of (6-Chloro-2-methylimidazol[1,2-b]pyridazin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 6-Chloro-2-methylimidazol[1,2-b]pyridazin-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (6-Chloro-2-methylimidazol[1,2-b]pyridazin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.052 g, 32%): mp 147-150° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.20 (d, J=9.6 Hz, 1H), 7.71-7.66 (m, 3H), 7.45-7.42 (m, 2H), 4.72-4.69 (m, 1H), 3.58-3.46 (m, 1H), 3.29-3.15 (m, 2H), 3.03-2.98 (m, 1H), 2.45 (s, 3H) 1.89-1.57 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 423 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 90 Preparation of (1H-pyrazol-5-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone BPN-0004468-AA-001

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A1, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylic acid were converted to (1H-pyrazol-5-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.051 g, 42%): mp=167-170° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 13.14 (a, 1H), 7.81 (q, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.69-7.61 (m, 3H), 7.43-7.39 (m, 1H), 6.59 (t, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 4.87 (d, J=13.3 Hz, 1H), 4.70 (d, J=12.3 Hz, 1H), 3.19-3.03 (m, 2H), 2.81 (t, J=11.7 Hz, 1H), 1.81-1.66 (m, 4H); MS (APCI+) m/z 324 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 91 Preparation of Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone BPN-0003856-AA-001

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A1, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid were converted to imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.052 g, 32%): mp=130-133° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.16 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 8.09 (s, 1H), 7.62 (m, 2H), 7.53 (m, 2H), 7.48 (m, 1H), 7.30 (m, 1H), 6.82 (m, 1H), 5.42 (m, 1H), 4.91 (m, 1H), 3.26 (m, 2H), 2.98 (m, 1H), 1.83 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 374 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 92 Preparation of 4-(4-(2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)benzamide

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 4-carbamoylbenzoic acid were converted to 4-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)benzamide as a white solid (0.119 g, 72%): mp 188-190° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.05 (s, 1H), 7.94 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.77 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.67 (m, 2H), 7.54 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 7.43 (m, 2H), 4.68 (m, 1H), 3.63 (m, 1H), 3.18-3.11 (m, 2H), 2.86 (m, 1H), 1.82-1.63 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 377 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 93 Preparation of 3-(4-(2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)benzamide BPN-0003791-AA-001

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 3-carbamoylbenzoic acid were converted to 3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)benzamide as a white solid (0.149 g, 90%): mp 192-194° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.06 (s, 1H), 7.95 (m, 2H), 7.74 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.69-7.61 (m, 3H), 7.54 (t, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.46-7.41 (m, 2H), 4.68 (m, 1H), 3.65 (m, 1H), 3.20-3.12 (m, 2H), 2.89 (m, 1H), 1.78-1.64 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 377 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 94 Preparation of 4-Oxo-4-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)butanoic acid

Step A: A mixture of 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine (5, 0.100 g, 0.436 mmol) and dihydrofuran-2,5-dione (0.048 g, 0.480 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (8 mL) was heated at reflux for 4 hours, cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-30% EtOAc in hexanes) to give 4-oxo-4-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)butanoic acid as a white solid (0.134 g, 93%): mp 18-140° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.64 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.39 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 4.81 (m, 1H), 4.01 (m, 1H), 3.22-3.17 (m, 2H), 2.80-2.68 (m, 5H), 1.89 (m, 2H), 1.73-1.65 (m, 2H); MS (ESI+) m/z 330 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 95 Preparation of 3-Oxo-3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)propanoic acid

Step A: To a solution of 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine (5, 0.130 g, 0.567 mmol) and Et₃N (0.157 mL, 1.13 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) was added methyl 3-chloro-3-oxopropanoate (0.077 g, 0.567 mmol) at 0° C. The mixture was warmed to ambient temperature, stirred for 16 hours and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-40% EtOAc in hexanes) to give methyl 3-oxo-3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)propanoate (0.134 g, 71%): ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.63 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 4.85-4.78 (m, 1H), 3.90-3.84 (m, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.60-3.49 (m, 2H), 3.28-3.14 (m, 2H), 2.75-2.65 (m, 1H), 1.89-1.64 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 330 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: To a solution of methyl 3-oxo-3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)propanoate (0.134 g, 0.407 mmol) in CH₃OH (2 mL) and THF (2 mL) was added NaOH (2 N, 2 mL). The mixture was stirred 16 h, diluted with H₂O (25 mL), and acidified with 2 N HCl to pH 4. The mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL). The extract was dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to give 3-oxo-3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)propanoic acid as a white solid (0.100 g, 78%): mp 112-114° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 14.24 (br s, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.38-7.32 (m, 2H), 4.84 (m, 1H), 3.93 (m, 1H), 3.42 (m, 2H), 3.27-3.21 (m, 2H), 2.83-2.77 (m, 1H), 1.99-1.93 (m, 2H), 1.76-1.66 (m, 2H); MS (ESI−) m/z 314 [M−H].

EXAMPLE 96 Preparation of 2-Oxo-3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)acetic acid

Step A: To a solution of 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine (5, 0.140 g, 0.611 mmol) and Et₃N (0.171 mL, 1.22 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (4 mL) was added ethyl 2-chloro-2-oxoacetate (0.100 g, 0.733 mmol) at 0° C. The mixture was warmed to ambient temperature, stirred for 16 hours and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-25% EtOAc in hexanes) to give ethyl 2-oxo-2-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)acetate as a thick oil (0.190 g, 94%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.64 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 4.72-4.67 (m, 1H), 4.37 (q, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.83-3.77 (m, 1H), 3.29-3.18 (m, 2H), 2.84-2.75 (m, 1H), 1.92-1.67 (m, 4H), 1.39 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 3H); MS (ESI+) m/z 330 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: To a solution of ethyl 2-oxo-2-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)acetate (0.190 g, 0.577 mmol) in CH₃OH (2 mL) and THF (2 mL) was added NaOH (2 N, 2 mL). The mixture was stirred 16 h, diluted with H₂O (25 mL), and acidified with 2 N HCl to pH 4. The mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL). The extract was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-15% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂) to give 2-oxo-2-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)acetic acid as a white solid (0.035 g, 20%): mp 193-196° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 7.69-7.55 (m, 3H), 7.42 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 4.43 (m, 1H), 3.96 (m, 1H), 3.07 (br s, 2H), 2.64 (br s, 1H), 1.69-1.55 (m, 4H); MS (ESI−) m/z 300 [M−H].

EXAMPLE 97 Preparation of 1-(2-(4-(2-(Tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidine and 1-acetylpyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid were converted to 1-(2-(4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethanone as a white solid (0.048 g, 97%): mp 50-60° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.38-7.09 (m, 4H), 4.99-4.91 (m, 1H), 4.77 (m, 1H), 4.15-4.08 (m, 1H), 3.77-3.10 (m, 4H), 2.74-2.59 (m, 1H), 2.23-1.70 (m, 10H), 1.99-1.93 (m, 2H), 1.76-1.66 (m, 2H), 1.43 (s, 9H); MS (ESI+) m/z 357 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 98 Preparation of (4-(2-(Tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)((2R,4R)-4-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-yl)methanone

Step A: A mixture of 4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidine (8, 0.030 g, 0.138 mmol), (2R,4R)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (0.038 g, 0.166 mmol), EDCI (0.032 g, 0.166 mmol), HOBt (0.022 g, 0.166 mmol), Et₃N (0.058 mL, 0.414 mmol) and CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL) was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours and then chromatographed over silica gel (0-8% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂ with 0.05% NH₄OH) to give (2R,4R)-tert-butyl 2-(4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl) piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-1-carboxylate as a thick oil (0.043 g, 72%): MS (ESI+) m/z 431 [M+H]⁺.

Step B: To a solution of (2R,4R)-tert-butyl 2-(4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-4-hydroxypyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (0.043 g, 0.100 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (1 mL) was added TFA (0.5 mL). The mixture was stirred for 4 hours, diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and washed with saturated NaHCO₃. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-5% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂) to give (4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)((2R,4R)-4-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.015 g, 45%): mp 65-75 ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.38 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.21-7.12 (m, 3H), 4.81 (m, 1H), 4.32 (m, 1H), 4.18-4.08 (m, 2H), 3.57-3.43 (m, 1H), 3.24-3.15 (m, 2H), 2.94-2.88 (m, 1H), 2.76-1.67 (m, 1H), 2.28-2.14 (m, 1H), 1.99-1.43 (7H), 1.44 (s, 9H); MS (ESI+) m/z 331 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 99 Preparation of (4-(2-(Tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)((2S,3S)-3-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-yl)methanone BPN-0004059-AA-001

Step A: A mixture of 4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidine (8, 0.034 g, 0.156 mmol), (2S,3S)-1-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-3-hydroxypyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (0.043 g, 0.187 mmol), EDCI (0.036 g, 0.187 mmol), HOBt (0.025 g, 0.187 mmol), Et₃N (0.065 mL, 0.468 mmol) and CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL) was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours and then chromatographed over silica gel (0-5% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂) to give (2S,3S)-tert-butyl 2-(4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-3-hydroxypyrrolidine-1-carboxylate as a thick oil (0.058 g, 86%): MS (ESI+) m/z 331 [M-C₅H₈O₂+H);

Step 8: To a solution of (2S,3S)-tert-butyl 2-(4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-3-hydroxypyrrolidine-1-carboxylate (0.058 g, 0.135 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL) was added TFA (0.4 mL). The mixture was stirred for 2 hours, diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and washed with saturated NaHCO₃. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-8% CH₂OH in CH₂Cl₂ with 0.05% NH₄OH) to give (4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)((2S,3S)-3-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-yl) methanone as a white solid (0.034 g, 76%): rap 60-65° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.36 (d, J=7.1 Hz, 1H), 7.20-7.11 (m, 3H), 4.78 (m, 1H), 4.40-4.31 (m, 2H), 3.90 (m, 1H), 3.50-3.43 (m, 1H), 3.28-3.02 (m, 3H), 2.76-2.63 (m, 1H), 2.44 (br s, 2H), 2.02-1.64 (m, 6H), 1.44 (s, 9H); MS (ESI+) m/z 331 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 100 Preparation of (4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)(1,1-dioxidotetrahydrothiophen-2-yl)methanone

Step A: A mixture of 4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidine (8, 0.030 g, 0.138 mmol), tetrahydrothiophene-2-carboxylic acid (0.022 g, 0.166 mmol), EDCI (0.032 g, 0.166 mmol), HOBt (0.022 g, 0.166 mmol), Et₃N (0.058 mL, 0.414 mmol) and CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL) was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 hours and then chromatographed over silica gel (0-3% CH₃OH in CH₂Cl₂) to give (4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)(tetrahydrothiophen-2-yl)methanone as a thick oil (0.043 g, 94%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) 87.36 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.27-7.11 (m, 3H), 4.82-4.77 (m, 1H), 4.13-4.01 (m, 2H), 3.48-3.40 (m, 1H), 3.18-2.84 (m, 3H), 2.71-2.48 (m, 2H), 2.38-2.26 (m, 1H), 2.12-1.64 (m, 6H), 1.43 (s, 9H); MS (ESI+) m/z 332 [M+H]⁺.

Step B : To a solution of (4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)(tetrahydrothiophen-2-yl)methanone (0.043 g, 0.130 mmol) in CH₂CN (3 mL) and H₂O (1.5 mL) was added Oxone (0.320 g, 0.520 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 48 hours, diluted with EtOAc and washed with aqueous, saturated NaHCO₃ solution. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-50% EtOAc in hexanes) to give (4-(2-(tert-butyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)(1,1-dioxidotetrahydrothiophen-2-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.046 g, 98%): mp 80-84° C.; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.39-7.09 (m, 4H), 4.90-4.78 (m, 1H), 4.29-4.20 (m, 2H), 3.55-3.08 (m, 4H), 2.94-2.66 (m, 2H), 2.47-1.64 (m, 7H), 1.43 (s, 9H); MS (ESI+) m/z 364 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 101 Preparation of 2-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)ethanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A2, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)acetic acid were converted to 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)ethanone as a red foam (0.375 g, 79%): mp No clear melt; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃(δ 9.81 (s, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.50-7.47 (m, 1H), 7.34-7.26 (m, 2H), 7.22-7.18 (m, 1H), 7.05-7.00 (m, 2H), 6.86-6.80 (m, 1H), 4.81 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 1H), 4.31 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 1H), 3.80 (s, 2H), 3.34-3.27 (m, 1H), 3.21-3.16 (m, 1H), 2.72-2.67 (m, 1H), 1.95-1.83 (m, 2H); 1.67-1.58 (m, 2H); ESI MS m/z 364 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 102 Preparation of 2-(2-Oxo-2-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)ethyl)phenylsulfamate

Step A: A solution of 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)ethanone (0.080 g, 0.22 mmol) in THF (1 mL) was added dropwise to a suspension of sodium hydride (60% in mineral oil) (0.010 g, 0.25 mmol) in THF (2 mL) stirring at ambient temperature under a N₂ atmosphere. After 1 hour, the reaction was cooled to 0° C. and a solution of sulfamoyl chloride in THF (1 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction was stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour, quenched with H₂O, extracted with EtOAc (3×10 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (Isco CombiFlash Companion unit, 12 g Redisep column, 0% to 100% EtOAc in hexanes) to give 2-(2-oxo-2-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)ethyl)phenyl sulfamate as a white powder (0.048 g, 49%): mp 170-173° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 8.07 (s, 2H), 7.68-7.55 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.40 (m, 1H), 7.35-7.28 (m, 5H), 4.58 (d, J=13.0 Hz, 1H), 4.04 (d, J=13.5 Hz, 1H), 3.88-3.76 (m, 2H), 3.18-3.07 (m, 2H), 2.69-2.63 (m, 1H), 1.71-1.58 (m, 4H); ESI MS m/z 443 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 103 Preparation of (3-Methyloxetan-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone

Step A: Following general procedure GP-A1, 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride and 3-methyloxetane-3-carboxylic acid were converted to (3-methyloxetan-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.071 g, 50%): mp 100-102° C.; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.56 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (m, 1H), 7.40 (m, 1H), 7.33 (m, 1H), 5.03 (m, 2H), 4.77 (m, 1H), 4.35 (m, 2H), 3.17 (m, 3H), 2.60 (m, 1H), 1.88 (m, 2H), 1.71 (m, 4H), 1.54 (m, 1H); MS (ESI+) m/z 328 [M+H]⁺.

EXAMPLE 104 3-(4-(2-(Trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-6-carbonitrile

Step A: To a solution of ethyl 6-bromo-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-3-carboxylate (0.365 g, 1.35 mmol) in THF (15 mL) was added a solution of lithium hydroxide hydrate (0.057 g, 1.35 mmol) in water (5 mL). The mixture was stirred for 20 minutes, acidified with 2 N HCl to pH 6 and concentrated under reduced pressure. To the residue were added 4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine hydrochloride (0.359 g, 1.35 mmol), benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (898 g, 2.03 mmol), N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.523 g, 4.05 mmol), and DMF (10 mL). The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 16 h, was diluted with water, and extracted with EtOAc (120 mL). The extract was washed with brine (2×120 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-60% EtOAc in hexanes) to give (6-bromo-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone as a white solid (0.516 g, 84%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.38 (m, 1H), 7.78 (dd, J=9.6, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.55-7.44 (m, 3H), 7.32 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1H), 5.72-5.67 (m, 1H), 5.00-4.94 (m, 1H), 3.39-3.30 (m, 2H), 3.03-2.93 (m, 1H), 2.01-1.81 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 453 (M+H).

Step B: A mixture of (6-bromo-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl) (4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methanone (0.080 g, 0.176 mmol), zinc cyanide (0.041 g, 0.352 mmol), palladium tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) (0.020 g, 0.0176 mmol), and DMF (1 mL) was heated under microwave irradiation at 130° C. for 30 min. After cooling to ambient temperature, the mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL), washed with brine (2×30 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue was chromatographed over silica gel (0-40% EtOAc in hexanes) to give 3-(4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine-6-carbonitrile as a white solid (0.063 g, 87%): ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.72 (m, 1H), 7.97 (dd, J=9.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 7.55-7.42 (m, 3H), 7.33 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 5.74-5.69 (m, 1H), 5.00-4.95 (m, 1H), 3.42-3.33 (m, 2H), 3.05-2.95 (m, 1H), 2.06-1.81 (m, 4H); MS (ESI+) m/z 400 (M+H).

EXAMPLE 105 RPM Binding of Piperidine Compounds

The compounds listed in Table 1 (Compounds 15-96 and 98-129) were tested in two in vitro assays, RBP4 binding (SPA) and retinol-dependent RBP4-TTR interaction (HTRF) (FIG. 8-15). The compounds binded to RBP4 and/or antagonized retinol-dependent RBP4-TTR interaction. This activity indicates that the compounds reduce the levels of serum RBP4 and retinol.

TABLE 1 # Structure  15

 16

 17

 18

 19

 20

 21

 22

 23

 24

 25

 26

 27

 28

 29

 30

 31

 32

 33

 34

 35

 36

 37

 38

 39

 40

 41

 42

 43

 44

 45

 46

 47

 48

 49

 50

 51

 52

 53

 54

 55

 56

 57

 58

 59

 60

 61

 62

 63

 64

 65

 66

 67

 68

 70

 73

 74

 75

 76

 77

 78

 79

 80

 81

 82

 83

 84

 85

 87

 88

 89

 90

 91

 92

 93

 94

 95

 96

 97

 98

 99

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

112

113

114

115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

123

124

125

126

127

128

129

EXAMPLE 105 RPB4 Binding of Additional Piperidine Compounds

An additional aspect of the invention provides analogs of the compounds of Table 1 that are active as RBP4 antagonists. The analogs of Compounds 15-129 described herein analogously bind to RBP4 and antagonize retinol-dependent RBP4-TTR interaction.

Additional piperidine compounds, which are analogs of those described in Table 1, are tested in two in vitro assays, RBP4 binding (SPA) and retinol-dependent RBP4-TTR interaction (HTRF). These piperidine compounds bind to RBP4 and antagonize retinol-dependent RBP4-TTR interaction. This activity indicates that the compounds reduce the level of serum RBP4 and retinol.

EXAMPLE 106 Efficacy in a Mammalian Model

The effectiveness of the compounds listed in Table 1 are tested in wild-type and Abca4−/− mice. The Abca4−/− mouse model manifests accelerated accumulation of lipofuscin in the RPE and is considered a pre-clinical efficacy model for a drug reducing lipofuscin accumulation. Compounds are orally dosed for 3 weeks at 30 mg/kg. There is a reduction in the serum RBP4 level in treated animals. The levels of A2E/isoA2E and other bisretinoids are reduced in treated mice. The levels of A2-DHP-PE and atRAL di-PE are also reduced.

The effectiveness of additional piperidine compounds, which are analogs of those described in Table 1, are tested in wild-type and Abca4−/− mice. The Abca4−/− mouse model manifests accelerated accumulation of lipofuscin in the RPE and is considered a pre-clinical efficacy model for a drug reducing lipofuscin accumulation. Compounds are orally dosed for 3 weeks at 30 mg/kg. There is a reduction in the serum RBP4 level in treated animals. The levels of A2E/isoA2E and other bisretinoids are reduced in treated mice. The levels of A2-DHP-PE and atRAL di-PE are also reduced.

Discussion

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in developed countries. Its prevalence is higher than that of Alzheimer's disease. There is no treatment for the most common dry form of AMD. Dry AMD is triggered by abnormalities in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) that lies beneath the photoreceptor cells and provides critical metabolic support to these light-sensing cells. RPE dysfunction induces secondary degeneration of photoreceptors in the central part of the retina called the macula. Experimental data indicate that high levels of lipofuscin induce degeneration of RPE and the adjacent photoreceptors in atrophic AMD retinas. In addition to AMD, dramatic accumulation of lipofuscin is the hallmark of Stargardt's disease (STGD), an inherited form of juvenile onset macular degeneration. The major cytotoxic component of RPE lipofuscin is a pyridinium bisretinoid A2E. A2E formation occurs in the retina in a non-enzymatic manner and can be considered a by-product of a properly functioning visual cycle. Given the established cytotoxic affects of A2E on RPE and photoreceptors, inhibition of A2E formation could lead to delay in visual loss in patients with dry AMD and STGD. It was suggested that small molecule visual cycle inhibitors may reduce the formation of A2E in the retina and prolong RPE and photoreceptor survival in patients with dry AMD and STGD. Rates of the visual cycle and A2E production in the retina depend on the influx of all-trans retinol from serum to the RPE. RPE retinol uptake depends on serum retinol concentrations. Pharmacological downregulation of serum retinol is a valid treatment strategy for dry AMD and STGD. Serum retinol is maintained in circulation as a tertiary complex with retinol-binding protein (RBP4) and transthyretin (TTR). Without interacting with TTR, the RBP4-retinol complex is rapidly cleared due to glomerular filtration. Retinol binding to RBP4 is required for formation of the RBP4-TTR complex; apo-RBP4 does not interact with TTR. Importantly, the retinol-binding site on RBP4 is sterically proximal to the interface mediating the RBP4-TTR interaction. Without wishing to be bound by any scientific theory, the data herein show that small molecule RBP4 antagonists displacing retinol from RBP4 and disrupting the RBP4-TTR interaction will reduce serum retinol concentration, inhibit retinol uptake into the retina and act as indirect visual cycle inhibitors reducing formation of cytotoxic A2E.

Serum RBP4 as a Drug Target for Pharmacological Inhibition of the Visual Cycle

As rates of the visual cycle and A2E production in the retina depend on the influx of all-trans retinol from serum to the RPE (FIG. 4), it has been suggested that partial pharmacological down-regulation of serum retinol may represent a target area in dry AMD treatment (11). Serum retinol is bound to retinol-binding protein (RBP4) and maintained in circulation as a tertiary complex with RBP4 and transthyretin (TTR) (FIG. 5). Without interacting with TTR, the RBP4-retinol complex is rapidly cleared from circulation due to glomerular filtration. Additionally, formation of the RBP4-TTR-retinol complex is required for receptor-mediated all-trans retinol uptake from serum to the retina.

Without wishing to be bound by any scientific theory, visual cycle inhibitors may reduce the formation of toxic bisretinoids and prolong RPE and photoreceptor survival in dry AMD. Rates of the visual cycle and A2E production depend on the influx of all-trans retinol from serum to the RPE. Formation of the tertiary retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4)-transthyretin (TTR)-retinol complex in serum is required for retinol uptake from circulation to the RPE. Retinol-binding site on RBP4 is sterically proximal to the interface mediating the RBP4-TTR interaction. RBP4 antagonists that compete with serum retinol for binding to RBP4 while blocking the RBP4-TTR interaction would reduce serum retinol, slow down the visual cycle, and inhibit formation of cytotoxic bisretinoids.

RBP4 represents an attractive drug target for indirect pharmacological inhibition of the visual cycle and A2E formation. The retinol-binding site on RBP4 is sterically proximal to the interface mediating the RBP4-TTR interaction. Retinal antagonists competing with serum retinol for binding to RBP4 while blocking the RBP4-TTR interaction would reduce serum RBP4 and retinal levels which would lead to reduced uptake of retinol to the retina. The outcome would be visual cycle inhibition with subsequent reduction in the A2E synthesis.

A synthetic retinoid called fenretinide [N-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)retinamide, 4HRP] (FIG. 6) previously considered as a cancer treatment (29) was found to bind to RBP4, displace all-trans retinol from RBP4 (13), and disrupt the RBP4-TTR interaction (13,14).

Fenretinide was shown to reduce serum RBP4 and retinol (15), inhibit ocular all-trans retinol uptake and slow down the visual cycle (11). Importantly, fenretinide administration reduced A2E production in an animal model of excessive bisretinoid accumulation, Abca4−/− mice (11). Pre-clinical experiments with fenretinide validated RBP4 as a drug target for dry AMD. However, fenretinide is non-selective and toxic. Independent of its activity as an antagonist of retinol binding to RBP4, fenretinide is an extremely active inducer of apoptosis in many cell types (16-19), including the retinal pigment epithelium cells (20). It has been suggested that fenretinide's adverse effects are mediated by its action as a ligand of a nuclear receptor RAR (21-24). Additionally, similar to other retinoids, fenretinide is reported to stimulate formation of hemangiosarcomas in mice. Moreover, fenretinide is teratogenic, which makes its use problematic in Stargardt disease patients of childbearing age.

As fenretinide's safety profile may be incompatible with long-term dosing in individuals with blinding but non-life threatening conditions, identification of new classes of RBP4 antagonists is of significant importance. The compounds of the present invention displace retinal from RBP4, disrupt retinol-induced RBP4-TTR interaction, and reduce serum REBP4 levels. The compounds of the present invention inhibit bisretinoid accumulation in the Abca4−/− mouse model of excessive lipofuscinogenesis which indicates usefulness a treatment for dry AMD and Stargardt disease.

The present invention relates to small molecules for treatment of macular degeneration and Stargardt Disease. Disclosed herein is the ophthalmic use of the small molecules as non-retinoid RBP4 antagonists. Compounds 15-110 have been shown to bind RBP4 in vitro and/or to antagonize RBP4-TTR interaction in vitro at biologically significant concentrations. Additional compounds described herein, which are analogs of Compounds 15-110 analogously bind RBP4 in vitro and antagonize RBP4-TTR interaction in vitro at biologically significant concentrations.

Currently, there is no FDA-approved treatment for dry AMD or Stargardt disease, which affects millions of patients. An over the counter, non FDA-approved cocktail of antioxidant vitamins and zinc (AREDS formula) is claimed to be beneficial in a subset of dry AMD patients. There are no treatments for Stargardt disease. The present invention identified non-retinoid RBP4 antagonists that are useful for the treatment of dry AMD and other conditions characterized by excessive accumulation of lipofuscin. Without wishing to be bound by any scientific theory, as accumulation of lipofuscin seems to be a direct cause of RPE and photoreceoptor demise in AMD and STGD retina, the compounds described herein are disease-modifying agents since they directly address the root cause of these diseases. The present invention provides novel methods of treatment that will preserve vision in AMD and Stargardt disease patients, and patients' suffereing from conditions characterized by excessive accumulation of lipofuscin.

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Expert Rev Anticancer     Ther. 2007 April; 7(4):423-32. -   30. Sunness J S, at al. The long-term natural history of geographic     atrophy from age-related macular degeneration: enlargement of     atrophy and implications for interventional clinical trials.     Ophthalmology. 2007 February; 114(2):271-7. -   31. Glickman J F et al. A comparison of ALPHAScreen, TR-FRET, and     TRF as assay methods for FXR nuclear receptors. J. Biomol. Screening     2002; 7:3-10 -   32. Fujimura T et al. Unique properties of coactivator recruitment     caused by differential binding of FK614, an anti-diabetic agent, to     PPARgamma. Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2006; 29:423-429 -   33. Zhou G et al. Nuclear receptors have distinct affinities fo     coactivators: characterization by FRET. Mol. Endocrinol. 1998;     12:1594-1605 -   34. Cogan U, Kopelman M, Mokady S, Shinitzky M. Binding affinities     of retinol and related compounds to retinol binding proteins. Eur J     Biochem. 1976 May 17; 65(1):71-8. -   35. Decensi A, Torrisi R, Polizzi A, Gesi R, Brezzo V, Rolando M,     Rondanina G, Orengo M A, Formelli F, Costa A. Effect of the     synthetic retinoid fenretinide on dark adaptation and the ocular     surface. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1994 Jan 19; 86(2):105-10. -   36. Conley B, et al. Pilot trial of the safety, tolerability, and     retinoid levels of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide in combination     with tamoxifen in patients at high risk for developing invasive     breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2000 January; 18(2):275-83. -   37. Fain G L, Lisman J E. Photoreceptor degeneration in vitamin A     deprivation and retinitis pigmentosa: the equivalent light     hypothesis. Exp Eye Res. 1993 September; 57(3):335-40. -   38. Makimura H, Wei J, Dolan-Looby S E, Ricchiuti V, Grinspoon S.     Retinol-Binding Protein Levels are Increased in Association with     Gonadotropin Levels in Healthy Women. Metabolism. 2009 April; 58(4):     479-487. -   39. 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What is claimed is:
 1. A compound having the structure:

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are each independently H, halogen, CF₃ or C₁-C ₄ alkyl and R₅ is halogen, CF₃ or C₁-C₄ alkyl; R₆ is H, or halogen; B is a substituted or unsubstituted heterobicycle having the structure:

wherein n is 1; Y₁ and Y₄ are each CH₂; and one of Y₂ or Y₃ is CH₂ and the other of Y₂ or Y₃ is O, SO₂, or N—R₁₀, wherein R₁₀ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, SO₂—(C₁-C₄alkyl) , SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃, SO₂—(C₁C₄alkyl)-OCH₃, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—(C₁- C₄alkyl) , C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—NH—(C₁-C₄ alkyl) , C(O)—N (C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂ or oxetane, or B has the structure:

wherein Y₁,Y₂,Y₃ and Y₄ are each independently CR₈ or N, wherein each R₈ is independently H, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, O(C₁-C₄ alkyl ), CN, CF₃,C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂, C(O)—N(CH₃)₂, C(O)—NHCH₃, or NHC(O)—N(CH₃)₂, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. The compound of claim 1, having the structure:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein B has the structure:

wherein Y₁, Y₂, Y₃ and Y₄ are each independently CR₈ or N, wherein each R₈ is independently H, halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, O(C₁-C₄ alkyl), CN, CF₃, C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂, C(O)—N(CH₃)₂, C(O)—NHCH₃, or NHC(O)—N(CH₃)₂.
 5. The compound of claim 4, wherein B has the structure:


6. The compound of claim 5, wherein each R₈ is independently H, Cl, Br, F, OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃, CF₃, CN, CH₃, CH₃CH₃, C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂, C(O)—N(CH₃)₂, C(O)—NHCH₃, NHC(O)—NHCH₃, NHC(O)—N(CH₃)₂, SO₂—NHCH₃ or SO₂—N(CH₃)₂.
 7. The compound of claim 1, wherein B has the structure:

wherein n is 1; Y₁ and Y₄ are each CH₂; and one of Y₂ or Y₃ is CH₂ and the other of Y₂ or Y₃ is O, SO₂, or N—R₁₀, wherein R₁₀ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl) , SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-OCH₃, SO₂—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—( C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-CF₃, C(O)—( C₁-C₄ alkyl) -OCH₃, C(O)—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-halogen, C(O)—NH—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C(O)—N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)-C(O)OH, C(O)—NH₂ or oxetane, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 8. The compound of claim 7, wherein B has the structure:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 9. The compound of claim 8, wherein R₁₀ is H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, CH₂CH₂CH₃, CH(CH₃)₂, CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, t-Bu, CH₂OCH₃, CH₂CF₃, CH₂Cl, CH₂F, CH₂CH₂OCH₃, CH₂CH₂CF₃, CH₂CH₂Cl, CH₂CH₂F, or

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 10. The compound of claim 1 having the structure:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 11. The compound of claim 1 having the structure:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 12. The compound of claim 1 having the structure:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 13. The compound of claim 1 having the structure:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 14. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 15. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 10 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 16. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 11 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 17. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 12 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 13 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 